Best colleges for Economics
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Economics by graduate earnings are Harvard University ($103,993), Princeton University ($103,041) and Duke University ($98,649), 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%.
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): $103,993, 416 graduates a year
- Princeton University (Princeton, NJ): $103,041, 170 graduates a year
- Duke University (Durham, NC): $98,649, 263 graduates a year
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA): $98,104, 151 graduates a year
- Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH): $94,675, 128 graduates a year
Compare 817 U.S. colleges offering Economics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Economics programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $51,848 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.06 and the Economists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Economics programs
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making it ideal for those interested in social sciences and analytical thinking. Students can choose from several specializations, including Applied Economics and International Economics, to tailor their education to their interests and career goals.
In this program, students develop critical skills in mathematics, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes the study of economic theories, statistical analysis, and the socioeconomic impacts of public policies, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to analyze complex economic issues.
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 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,993 | 416 | 98% | $15,013 | $6,617 |
| 2 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $103,041 | 170 | 98% | $13,729 | $11,250 |
| 3 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $98,649 | 263 | 97% | $16,260 | $13,437 |
| 4 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $98,104 | 151 | 92% | $12,032 | $12,500 |
| 5 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $94,675 | 128 | 96% | $14,689 | $18,400 |
| 6 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,075 | 781 | 96% | $13,333 | $13,197 |
| 7 | Amherst College Amherst, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $90,568 | 81 | 94% | $16,081 | $16,662 |
| 8 | Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,505 | 110 | 91% | $22,678 | $12,000 |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $89,097 | 199 | 97% | $22,055 | $14,000 |
| 10 | Wellesley College Wellesley, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,367 | 62 | 92% | $19,292 | $11,190 |
| 11 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $86,284 | 58 | 94% | $23,803 | $22,020 |
| 12 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,879 | 128 | 91% | $20,918 | $19,500 |
| 13 | Barnard College New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,860 | 109 | 93% | $24,675 | $16,750 |
| 14 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,967 | 258 | 95% | $17,613 | $15,500 |
| 15 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,932 | 397 | 95% | $14,799 | $16,227 |
| 16 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,460 | 237 | 95% | $22,242 | $16,500 |
| 17 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,311 | 234 | 94% | $14,854 | $12,424 |
| 18 | Columbia University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $83,135 | 565 | 96% | $15,315 | $25,000 |
| 19 | Yale University New Haven, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,617 | 279 | 96% | $27,025 | $13,250 |
| 20 | Williams College Williamstown, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $80,888 | 125 | 94% | $10,747 | $12,925 |
| 21 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $80,446 | 777 | 93% | — | $13,000 |
| 22 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $79,845 | 41 | 91% | $29,107 | $19,000 |
| 23 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,814 | 105 | 95% | $13,264 | $11,289 |
| 24 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,181 | 375 | 94% | $11,888 | $12,494 |
| 25 | Colgate University Hamilton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,274 | 118 | 91% | $22,903 | $17,500 |
Top certificate or associate program
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 | Davidson College Davidson, NC Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $70,785 | 51 | 91% | $16,628 | $22,625 |
Specializations within Economics
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Econometrics and Quantitative EconomicsCIP 45.060322,866 graduates / yr320 institutions49 states
- EconomicsCIP 45.060119,798 graduates / yr638 institutions52 states
- Development Economics and International DevelopmentCIP 45.0604384 graduates / yr42 institutions25 states
- Applied EconomicsCIP 45.0602378 graduates / yr28 institutions23 states
- International EconomicsCIP 45.0605204 graduates / yr18 institutions12 states
- EconomicsCIP 45.0699143 graduates / yr24 institutions15 states
Offered across 52 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 Economics program can pursue various career paths, with a median wage of $115,440. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with an estimated 900 annual openings. Most positions in this field require a master's degree, making advanced education a key component for success.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Economics
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.06 (Economics) maps to 9 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 13-1161 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists |
| 15-2041 | Statisticians |
| 15-2051 | Data Scientists |
| 19-3011 | Economistsprimary |
| 19-3022 | Survey Researchers |
| 19-4061 | Social Science Research Assistants |
| 25-1063 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in 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 specializations are available in the Economics program?+
Students can specialize in areas such as Applied Economics, Econometrics, and International Economics.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication skills.
What is the typical education required for careers in Economics?+
Most careers in Economics require a master's degree.
What is the job outlook for Economics graduates?+
The outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 900 annual job openings.
How much do Economics graduates earn?+
Economics graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $51,848, College Scorecard (2019); the Economists occupation pays about $142,130 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Economics?+
Economics maps to CIP 45.06 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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