Best institutions to study Economics
Any instructional program in economics not listed above.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 143 Economics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0699, a specialization of Economics (CIP 45.06), and leads most directly to the Economists occupation (BLS SOC 19-3011).
About Economics programs
Any instructional program in economics not listed above.
See also: 30.5101 - Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Economics program, classified under the Social Sciences, encompasses various instructional approaches to the study of economics not specifically listed elsewhere. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding economic theories, market behaviors, and the impact of public policies on society. It offers a comprehensive exploration of economic principles and their applications in real-world scenarios.
Students in the Economics program will develop critical skills in mathematics, reading comprehension, and analytical thinking. Coursework typically includes subjects like Game Theory, allowing students to analyze economic data, forecast market trends, and understand the socioeconomic effects of policy changes.
Credentials awarded
What Economics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree67 graduates / yr · 16 institutions47%
- Master's degree47 graduates / yr · 3 institutions33%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate21 graduates / yr · 5 institutions15%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.8%
Graduates over time
Economics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 554 |
| 2013 | 528 |
| 2014 | 550 |
| 2015 | 562 |
| 2016 | 505 |
| 2017 | 546 |
| 2018 | 491 |
| 2019 | 454 |
| 2020 | 410 |
| 2021 | 299 |
| 2022 | 261 |
| 2023 | 254 |
| 2024 | 244 |
| 2025 | 143 |
Top 24 institutions for Economics, 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 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | — | — | — |
| 2 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 14 | 0% | — | — |
| 3 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 65% | — | $45,401 |
| 4 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 83% | — | $59,187 |
| 5 | Barnard College New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 93% | $24,675 | $85,860 |
| 6 | Westminster College New Wilmington, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 65% | $19,686 | — |
| 7 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 8 | 67% | $16,109 | — |
| 8 | Union University Jackson, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 66% | $25,882 | — |
| 9 | Augsburg University Minneapolis, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 52% | $23,585 | $45,720 |
| 10 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 76% | — | $37,149 |
| 11 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 3 | 81% | — | $55,905 |
| 12 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 3 | 75% | $30,225 | $58,151 |
| 13 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 36% | — | — |
| 14 | Canisius University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 66% | $17,353 | $55,786 |
| 15 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 86% | — | $51,192 |
| 16 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor's | 2 | 81% | — | $54,013 |
| 17 | University of Minnesota - Duluth Duluth, MNPublicBachelor's | 2 | 65% | — | $50,873 |
| 18 | Whitman College Walla Walla, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 81% | $28,508 | $46,832 |
| 19 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 68% | — | $54,778 |
| 20 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoral | 1 | 87% | — | $44,087 |
| 21 | Wright State University - Main Campus Dayton, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 42% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Dallas Irving, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 73% | $20,960 | $55,732 |
| 23 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 79% | — | $38,452 |
| 24 | Emory & Henry University Emory, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 56% | $20,446 | — |
* 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 15 states
Where Economics graduates come from. Each state links to all Economics programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 3 | 46 | Teachers College at Columbia University34 / yr |
| California | 4 | 22 | The Chicago School at Los Angeles14 / yr |
| Washington | 2 | 15 | Western Washington University13 / yr |
| Indiana | 2 | 15 | Purdue University - Main Campus12 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 10 | University of Detroit Mercy8 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 9 | Westminster College9 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 8 | Augsburg University6 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 7 | Union University7 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 3 | University of Delaware3 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 3 | American University3 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion1 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Wright State University - Main Campus1 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | University of Dallas1 / yr |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | University of Vermont1 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | Emory & Henry University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3011, Economists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Economics program can pursue careers as economists, postsecondary economics teachers, or in various management roles. With an annual growth outlook of 1.2% and approximately 900 job openings each year, the median wage for economists is $115,440, typically requiring a master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0699
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 |
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 Economics 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
- Development Economics and International DevelopmentCIP 45.0604384 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Applied EconomicsCIP 45.0602378 graduates / yr28 institutions
- International EconomicsCIP 45.0605204 graduates / yr18 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 in Economics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, and effective communication skills.
What careers can I pursue with an Economics degree?+
You can work as an economist, a postsecondary economics teacher, or in various management roles.
What is the job outlook for economists?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual growth of 1.2% and about 900 openings each year.
What is the CIP code for Economics?+
Economics is CIP 45.0699 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Economics (CIP 45.06). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in economics not listed above.
How many institutions offer Economics programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Economics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 143 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Economics graduates.
How much do Economics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Economists occupation, which Economics 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 $54,013 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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