2024 Best Economics Schools in Illinois
21
Colleges in Illinois
2,155
Economics Degrees Awarded
$51,939
Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in
economics, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #19 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in Illinois to determine which ones were the best for economics students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 2,155 degrees in economics to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Economics School
The economics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Economics rankings. For our Best Overall Economics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Pick Your Economics Degree Level
The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Economics Schools in Illinois.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Economics in Illinois
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Illinois Schools in Economics
University of Chicago is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in economics. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were roughly 626 economics students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from University of Chicago earn a boost of around $30,625 over the average income of economics majors.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Chicago
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in economics. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were roughly 402 economics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics program at Northwestern University make $19,549 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in economics from Northwestern University
It's hard to beat University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign if you wish to pursue a degree in economics. UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.
There were about 563 economics students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the economics program report average early career wages of $50,008.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Wheaton College Illinois is a good decision for students interested in a degree in economics. Located in the large suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #257 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Wheaton College Illinois is a great college overall.
There were roughly 35 economics students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Wheaton College Illinois receive $10,330 more than the typical economics graduate.
More information about a degree in economics from Wheaton College Illinois
Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIC is a great university overall.
There were about 129 economics students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the economics program make about $43,239 in the first couple years of working.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Illinois at Chicago
Lake Forest is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large suburb of Lake Forest. A Best Colleges rank of #289 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Lake Forest is a great college overall.
There were approximately 32 economics students who graduated with this degree at Lake Forest in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics program at Lake Forest College make $6,843 more than the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in economics from Lake Forest College
SIUC is a large public university located in the city of Carbondale. A Best Colleges rank of #545 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means SIUC is a great university overall.
There were about 24 economics students who graduated with this degree at SIUC in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #203 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means DePaul is a great university overall.
There were approximately 45 economics students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics program at DePaul University make $7,999 above the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.
More information about a degree in economics from DePaul University
North Central is a small private not-for-profit college located in the midsize city of Naperville. This college ranks 25th out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There were about 16 economics students who graduated with this degree at North Central in the most recent data year. After graduating, economics degree recipients usually make an average of $51,272 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in economics from North Central College
Illinois State is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal. A Best Colleges rank of #231 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Illinois State is a great university overall.
There were about 45 economics students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, economics degree recipients typically earn about $44,992 in their early careers.
More information about a degree in economics from Illinois State University