2027 Best Economics Schools in the Southwest Region
Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their economics programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for economics students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Economics in the Southwest Region
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
No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for economics. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 economics students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $78,814. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at Rice University
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 430 economics students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,294 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Texas A And M University College Station
A rank of #3 makes Southern Methodist University one of the top schools for economics. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 267 economics degrees were awarded at Southern Methodist University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $71,630 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
See the full economics program report for Southern Methodist University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 551 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $68,794 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,125.
More information about a degree in economics from The University Of Texas At Austin
Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 98 economics degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Texas Christian University earn around $54,462 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
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Trinity University landed the #6 spot for economics this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 economics students who graduated with this degree at Trinity University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $57,482. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
More information about a degree in economics from Trinity University
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for economics this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 150 economics degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Arizona State University earn around $54,778 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,430 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Arizona State University
Baylor University placed #8 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Baylor University awarded about 40 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for Baylor University
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #9 among the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. About 64 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $69,613 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of Houston landed the #10 spot for economics this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 195 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,820. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Read more about the economics program at University Of Houston
University Of Arizona ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 106 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Arizona earn around $47,908 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,610.
Get the full economics details for University Of Arizona
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #12 for economics this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. About 90 economics degrees were awarded at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $54,778. Arizona State University Skysong graduates carry a median of $16,430 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for Arizona State University Skysong
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #13 for economics this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 64 economics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $47,034 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates carry a median of $20,748 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas
Hardin Simmons University came in at #14 for economics this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 economics students who graduated with this degree at Hardin Simmons University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $50,478 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,674.
More information about a degree in economics from Hardin Simmons University
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #15 spot for economics this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 13 economics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $48,335 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At El Paso graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for The University Of Texas At El Paso
University Of North Texas landed the #16 spot for economics this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 32 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $51,316 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,619.
More information about a degree in economics from University Of North Texas
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #17 among the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 37 economics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $46,416 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for The University Of Texas At Arlington
Texas Tech University placed #18 among the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Texas Tech University awarded about 73 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $44,292 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Texas Tech University
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 40 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $43,656. Students borrow a median of $18,450 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Blinn College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 economics students who graduated with this degree at Blinn College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Blinn College earn around $43,408 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,465.
See the full economics program report for Blinn College
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #21 position for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 13 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $43,064 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,717.
Read more about the economics program at Texas State University San Marcos
Southwestern University landed the #22 spot for economics this year. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 10 economics degrees were awarded at Southwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Southwestern University earn around $36,990 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete this degree.
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New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #23 for economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Las Cruces. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 economics students who graduated with this degree at New Mexico State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for New Mexico State University Main Campus
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #24 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Edinburg. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 15 economics degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent year. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for The University Of Texas Pan American
University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #25 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. University Of Central Oklahoma awarded about 10 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Typical student debt for the program is $23,321.
More information about a degree in economics from University Of Central Oklahoma
Rest of the Top 26 Economics Schools
These schools also placed among the best for economics this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 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.
