Best institutions to study Economics
Compare 817 U.S. colleges offering Economics by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Economics programs report a median of $51,848 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), 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 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | 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 in the City of New York 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 |
| 26 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,944 | 57 | 92% | $18,174 | $19,500 |
| 27 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,606 | 86 | 88% | $44,094 | $19,500 |
| 28 | Colby College Waterville, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,401 | 108 | 89% | $15,696 | $24,250 |
| 29 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $76,299 | 145 | 95% | $19,452 | $19,965 |
| 30 | Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,867 | 84 | 95% | $15,454 | $19,500 |
| 31 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,125 | 197 | 94% | $23,570 | $17,850 |
| 32 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,958 | 385 | 96% | — | $19,000 |
| 33 | Fairfield University Fairfield, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $74,023 | 16 | 84% | $36,845 | $26,500 |
| 34 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,099 | 409 | 91% | $21,126 | $18,000 |
| 35 | Brown University Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $72,064 | 247 | 96% | $14,644 | $13,000 |
| 36 | Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,737 | 33 | 94% | $11,983 | $23,399 |
| 37 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,630 | 267 | 84% | $33,246 | $19,500 |
| 38 | Smith College Northampton, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,559 | 43 | 89% | $17,183 | $19,000 |
| 39 | Hamilton College Clinton, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,350 | 97 | 91% | $20,680 | $18,250 |
| 40 | Emory University Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,340 | 75 | 91% | $20,586 | $21,000 |
| 41 | Trinity College Hartford, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,191 | 81 | 84% | $25,245 | $21,500 |
| 42 | Bates College Lewiston, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $71,187 | 59 | 90% | $18,203 | $13,000 |
| 43 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,967 | 33 | 78% | $36,004 | $29,000 |
| 44 | Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,946 | 89 | 86% | $30,675 | $25,888 |
| 45 | Davidson College Davidson, NC Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree | $70,785 | 51 | 91% | $16,628 | $22,625 |
| 46 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,531 | 292 | 91% | $18,925 | $24,500 |
| 47 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,531 | 62 | — | — | $24,500 |
| 48 | Pomona College Claremont, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,051 | 49 | 93% | $16,571 | — |
| 49 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,807 | 272 | 43% | $34,565 | $19,500 |
| 50 | Providence College Providence, RI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,364 | 48 | 86% | $32,048 | $26,000 |
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.
Concentrations within Economics
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Economics, GeneralCIP 45.0601
A general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to the
- Applied EconomicsCIP 45.0602
A program that focuses on the application of economic principles and analytical techniques to the study of particular industries, activities, or the exploitation of particular resources
- Econometrics and Quantitative EconomicsCIP 45.0603
A program that focuses on the systematic study of mathematical and statistical analysis of economic phenomena and problems
- Development Economics and International DevelopmentCIP 45.0604
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the economic development process and its application to the problems of specific countries and regions
- International EconomicsCIP 45.0605
A program that focuses on the systematic study and analysis of international commercial behavior and trade policy
- Economics, OtherCIP 45.0699
Any instructional program in economics not listed above.
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 of $51,848 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); 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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