Best institutions to study Development Economics and International Development
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the economic development process and its application to the problems of specific countries and regions.
42 U.S. institutions graduated 384 Development Economics and International Development students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0604, a specialization of Economics (CIP 45.06), and leads most directly to the Economists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3011).
About Development Economics and International Development programs
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the economic development process and its application to the problems of specific countries and regions. Includes instruction in economic development theory, industrialization, land reform, infrastructural development, investment policy, the role of governments and business in development, international development organizations, and the study of social, health, and environmental influences on economic development.
See also: 01.0701 - International Agriculture.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Development Economics and International Development program focuses on the systematic study of economic development processes and their application to real-world problems in various countries and regions. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the complexities of economic growth, policy-making, and the roles of governments and organizations in development efforts.
Students in this program will gain core skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers economic development theory, investment policy, and the socio-economic impacts of public policies, equipping graduates with the analytical tools needed to address development challenges.
Credentials awarded
What Development Economics and International Development graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree213 graduates / yr · 21 institutions56%
- Master's degree144 graduates / yr · 14 institutions38%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate22 graduates / yr · 7 institutions5.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.3%
Graduates over time
Development Economics and International Development completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 660 |
| 2013 | 586 |
| 2014 | 630 |
| 2015 | 660 |
| 2016 | 639 |
| 2017 | 667 |
| 2018 | 639 |
| 2019 | 572 |
| 2020 | 538 |
| 2021 | 533 |
| 2022 | 495 |
| 2023 | 463 |
| 2024 | 354 |
| 2025 | 384 |
Top 42 institutions for Development Economics and International Development, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 100 | 93% | — | $62,091 |
| 2 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 40 | 86% | $25,074 | $57,299 |
| 3 | Williams College Williamstown, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 94% | $10,747 | $80,888 |
| 4 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 23 | 95% | $17,613 | $84,967 |
| 5 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 86% | $33,106 | $46,386 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 17 | 85% | — | $50,529 |
| 7 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 79% | — | $38,452 |
| 8 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster's | 13 | 65% | — | $46,655 |
| 9 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 10 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 9 | 83% | — | $59,187 |
| 11 | William Jessup University Rocklin, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 8 | 56% | $24,242 | — |
| 12 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 91% | $18,925 | $70,531 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 86% | — | $55,418 |
| 14 | Covenant College Lookout Mountain, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 71% | $22,535 | — |
| 15 | Murray State University Murray, KYPublicMaster's | 6 | 61% | — | — |
| 16 | Gallaudet University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 5 | 47% | $14,382 | — |
| 17 | University of Dayton Dayton, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 80% | $28,560 | $34,671 |
| 18 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 75% | $30,225 | $58,151 |
| 19 | Andrews University Berrien Springs, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 72% | $17,800 | — |
| 20 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicBachelor's | 4 | 51% | — | $44,759 |
| 21 | University of St Thomas Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 69% | $19,546 | — |
| 22 | Trinity University San Antonio, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 84% | $20,327 | $57,482 |
| 23 | Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 62% | $24,653 | $41,502 |
| 24 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 82% | — | — |
| 25 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 3 | 94% | — | — |
| 26 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 27 | Regent University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 57% | $18,677 | — |
| 28 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 86% | — | $56,261 |
| 29 | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 77% | $48,795 | — |
| 30 | Huntington University Huntington, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 64% | $13,056 | — |
| 31 | University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 76% | $28,888 | $60,323 |
| 32 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicDoctoral | 2 | 49% | — | — |
| 33 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicDoctoral | 2 | 55% | — | — |
| 34 | Houghton University Houghton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 65% | $20,470 | — |
| 35 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 95% | $22,242 | $84,460 |
| 36 | Calvin University Grand Rapids, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 74% | $22,391 | $43,746 |
| 37 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 48% | — | — |
| 38 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 69% | $27,376 | $51,464 |
| 39 | Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 75% | $25,675 | — |
| 40 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 96% | $14,644 | $72,064 |
| 41 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicDoctoral | 1 | 90% | — | $54,495 |
| 42 | Northwest University - Center for Online and Extended Education Kirkland, WAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 1 | 50% | $26,831 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Economics field (CIP 45.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 25 states
Where Development Economics and International Development graduates come from. Each state links to all Economics programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3011, Economists, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as economists, social science research assistants, and postsecondary economics teachers. The job outlook for this field shows little to no change, with about 900 annual openings and a median wage of $115,440, typically requiring a master's degree for advancement.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0604
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Economistsprimary SOC 19-3011 | $124,720 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~900 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Science Research Assistants SOC 19-4061 | $61,990 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~5,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1063 | $123,920 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~1,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Development Economics and International Development programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Economics specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Economics (CIP 45.06).
- Econometrics and Quantitative EconomicsCIP 45.060322,866 graduates / yr320 institutions
- EconomicsCIP 45.060119,798 graduates / yr638 institutions
- Applied EconomicsCIP 45.0602378 graduates / yr28 institutions
- International EconomicsCIP 45.0605204 graduates / yr18 institutions
- EconomicsCIP 45.0699143 graduates / yr24 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as an economist, manager, social science research assistant, or economics teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 900 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Development Economics and International Development?+
Development Economics and International Development is CIP 45.0604 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Economics (CIP 45.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the systematic study of the economic development process and its application to the problems of specific countries and regions. Includes instruction in economic development theory, industrialization, land reform, infrastructural development, investment policy, the role of governments and business in development, international development organizations, and the study of social, health, and environmental influences on economic development.
How many institutions offer Development Economics and International Development programs?+
42 U.S. institutions reported Development Economics and International Development graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 25 states, awarding 384 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Economics graduates.
How much do Development Economics and International Development graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Economists occupation, which Development Economics and International Development most directly leads to, pays a median of $124,720 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Economics field report median earnings of $56,261 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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