2027 Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania
Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best economics schools.
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Best Schools for Economics in Pennsylvania
If you are not 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.
Top Schools in Economics
University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 ranking of the best economics schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 199 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $89,097. Typical student debt for the program is $14,000.
See the full economics program report for University Of Pennsylvania
Haverford College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 42 economics students who graduated with this degree at Haverford College in the most recent data year.
See the full economics program report for Haverford College
A rank of #3 makes Swarthmore College one of the top schools for economics. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Swarthmore. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 economics students who graduated with this degree at Swarthmore College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $76,944 in their early career. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Swarthmore College
Carnegie Mellon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #4. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 58 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $86,284 in their early career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $22,020 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at Carnegie Mellon University
Lafayette College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 127 economics degrees were awarded at Lafayette College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $68,164 in their early career. Lafayette College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Lafayette College
Bucknell University placed #6 among the best economics schools. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 economics students who graduated with this degree at Bucknell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Bucknell University generally make around $70,946. Typical student debt for the program is $25,888.
See the full economics program report for Bucknell University
Villanova University came in at #7 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 114 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Villanova University earn around $67,065 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 Villanova University
Dickinson College earned the #8 position for economics this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dickinson College awarded about 42 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $53,990 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full economics program report for Dickinson College
Gettysburg College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 49 economics students who graduated with this degree at Gettysburg College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Gettysburg College earn around $62,925 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at Gettysburg College
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for economics this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 346 economics degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $55,418 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full economics details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #11 position for economics this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 223 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Economics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $50,529 early in their careers. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 23 economics students who graduated with this degree at Franklin And Marshall College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Franklin And Marshall College earn around $52,801 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Franklin And Marshall College
Saint Josephs University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 economics degrees were awarded at Saint Josephs University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $65,421 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at Saint Josephs University
Drexel University placed #14 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Drexel University awarded about 33 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $70,967 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,000.
See the full economics program report for Drexel University
Temple University landed the #15 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 40 economics degrees were awarded at Temple University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $48,242 in their early career. Temple University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Temple University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #16 spot for economics this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 57 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $55,418. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full economics program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for economics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Millersville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 economics degrees were awarded at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $51,960 in their early career. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans.
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Lebanon Valley College earned the #18 position for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 13 economics degrees were awarded at Lebanon Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $51,183 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Lebanon Valley College
Ursinus College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. About 41 economics degrees were awarded at Ursinus College in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $52,496 early in their careers. Ursinus College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at Ursinus College
Washington And Jefferson College placed #20 among the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 economics students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Jefferson College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Washington And Jefferson College earn around $50,402 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the economics program at Washington And Jefferson College
Allegheny College placed #21 among the best economics schools. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 economics degrees were awarded at Allegheny College in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Allegheny College earn a median of $51,722 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at Allegheny College
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for economics this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 economics students who graduated with this degree at Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earn around $53,999 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,848 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #23 among the best economics schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus awarded about 15 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn around $46,860 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #24 position for economics this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 economics students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $35,051 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,128.
Get the full economics details for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.