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2027 Best Economics Schools in Illinois

16 Colleges in the United States
1,931 Economics Degrees Awarded
$53,155 Avg Early-Career Salary

Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best economics schools.

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Best Schools for Economics in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall economics education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Economics

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for economics. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 781 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $92,075. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 397 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $84,932 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,227. See the full economics program report for Northwestern University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for economics. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 427 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $58,921 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,228. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

A rank of #4 makes Wheaton College Illinois one of the top schools for economics. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Wheaton. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 20 economics degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $62,889 in the first couple years of their career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Wheaton College Illinois

5

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 14 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Loyola University Chicago

6

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 86 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,767. Students borrow a median of $19,002 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #7 position for economics this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 32 economics degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $53,417 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,433 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Depaul University

8
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College came in at #8 for economics this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 28 economics degrees were awarded at Lake Forest College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Lake Forest College earn around $53,529 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from Lake Forest College

9

Illinois State University placed #9 among the best economics schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 economics degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Illinois State University

10
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College placed #10 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. North Central College graduates 64% of students within six years. North Central College awarded about 14 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $52,728 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,801 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at North Central College

11

Mckendree University came in at #11 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Mckendree University graduates 53% of students within six years. Mckendree University awarded about 16 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Mckendree University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,362. Read more about the economics program at Mckendree University

12

Northern Illinois University came in at #12 for economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 27 economics degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $45,386 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,879 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from Northern Illinois University

13

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 12 economics students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $54,169. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Olivet Nazarene University

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 26 economics degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $37,798. Students borrow a median of $25,049 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

15
Knox College crest
Knox College
Galesburg, IL

Knox College placed #15 among the best economics schools. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Galesburg. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Knox College awarded about 12 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $23,222 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from Knox College

16

Northeastern Illinois University placed #16 among the best economics schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 economics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Northeastern Illinois University earn around $40,004 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Northeastern Illinois University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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