Best colleges for Business/Managerial Economics
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Business/Managerial Economics by graduate earnings are Washington University in St Louis ($106,701), Lehigh University ($81,796) and Brigham Young University ($75,227), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Washington University in St Louis (St. Louis, MO): $106,701, 31 graduates a year
- Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA): $81,796, 46 graduates a year
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT): $75,227, 66 graduates a year
- Bentley University (Waltham, MA): $68,627, 32 graduates a year
- Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ): $66,877, 22 graduates a year
Compare 194 U.S. colleges offering Business/Managerial Economics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
Business/Managerial Economics programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $52,087 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 52.06 and the Economists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Business/Managerial Economics programs
The Business/Managerial Economics program focuses on applying economic methods to enhance organizational decision-making processes. It equips students with the tools to analyze the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, making it ideal for those interested in understanding market dynamics and resource allocation within businesses.
Students will develop critical skills in mathematics, economics, and data analysis. Coursework typically covers economic theories, statistical techniques, and the socioeconomic impacts of public policies, preparing graduates to tackle real-world business challenges effectively.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $106,701 | 31 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 2 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $81,796 | 46 | 88% | $26,912 | $23,240 |
| 3 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,227 | 66 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 4 | Bentley University Waltham, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $68,627 | 32 | 87% | $31,677 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,877 | 22 | 69% | $27,376 | $21,522 |
| 6 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,662 | 28 | 84% | $26,589 | $15,625 |
| 7 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $62,692 | 36 | 79% | — | $25,000 |
| 8 | Ohio State University Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,979 | 74 | 88% | — | $19,500 |
| 9 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $61,333 | 31 | 73% | $33,454 | $21,574 |
| 10 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,596 | 52 | 80% | — | $24,000 |
| 11 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,369 | 76 | 85% | — | $23,250 |
| 12 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,909 | 71 | 72% | — | $12,000 |
| 13 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $56,114 | 39 | 68% | — | $21,375 |
| 14 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,871 | 37 | 80% | $28,560 | $24,548 |
| 15 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,460 | 26 | 75% | — | $17,800 |
| 16 | Wheaton College Wheaton, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $55,300 | 61 | 85% | $23,461 | $24,000 |
| 17 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,471 | 28 | 71% | — | $19,500 |
| 18 | Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,457 | 65 | 70% | $28,035 | $25,000 |
| 19 | Chapman University Orange, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $54,064 | 45 | 82% | $42,965 | $22,977 |
| 20 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,058 | 26 | 61% | — | $14,125 |
| 21 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,984 | 27 | 54% | — | $16,063 |
| 22 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,682 | 24 | 68% | $28,141 | $21,666 |
| 23 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,536 | 25 | 67% | — | $25,000 |
| 24 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $53,345 | 20 | 83% | $25,376 | $24,500 |
| 25 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,094 | 183 | 90% | — | $22,419 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Associate degree | $58,072 | 67 | 46% | — | $13,500 |
| 2 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Public · Certificate | $51,329 | 74 | 61% | — | $23,021 |
Specializations within Business/Managerial Economics
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 41 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3011, Economists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Business/Managerial Economics program can expect a career outlook with little or no change, featuring approximately 900 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is around $115,440, with a typical educational requirement of a Master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Business/Managerial Economics
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.06 (Business/Managerial Economics) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 13-1111 | Management Analysts |
| 13-2054 | Financial Risk Specialists |
| 19-3011 | Economistsprimary |
| 19-3022 | Survey Researchers |
| 25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Business/Managerial Economics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
- Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
- Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
- Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
- Review documents written by others.
- Provide advice and consultation on economic relationships to businesses, public and private agencies, and other employers.
Common questions
What is Business/Managerial Economics?+
It is a program that applies economic principles to improve decision-making in organizations.
What skills will I learn?+
You will gain skills in critical thinking, mathematics, data analysis, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 900 annual openings.
What is the average salary for graduates?+
The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $115,440.
How much do Business/Managerial Economics graduates earn?+
Business/Managerial Economics graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $52,087, College Scorecard (2019); the Economists occupation pays about $142,130 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Business/Managerial Economics?+
Business/Managerial Economics maps to CIP 52.06 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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