2026 Best Economics Schools
Looking for the best Economics programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 937 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Business Degree Central analyzed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Economics Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Claremont Mckenna College this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,980. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Economics program here. See the full Claremont Mckenna College profile
The strong Economics programs at Williams College earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Williams College Economics students take on a median of $12,925 in debt. See the full Williams College profile
You'll be in good company at Duke University, which ranked #3 this year. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete their Economics program here. See the full Duke University profile
A rank of #4 makes Rice University one of the top choices in the United States. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical Economics student debt is $11,289. Get the full Rice University report
Dartmouth College came in at #5 on this year's Economics ranking in the United States. Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hanover, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Students borrow a median of $18,400 to complete their Economics program here. Read more about Dartmouth College
Princeton University placed #6 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Typical Economics student debt is $11,250. Read more about Princeton University
Teachers College At Columbia University did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Teachers College At Columbia University
University Of Chicago ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. The median Economics program debt is $13,197. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Yale University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yale University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,250. Yale University Economics students take on a median of $13,250 in debt. Read more about Yale University
University Of Notre Dame ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,965 to complete their Economics program here. Read more about University Of Notre Dame
Pomona College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Claremont, CA, Pomona College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,420. Get the full Pomona College report
Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,494 to complete their Economics program here. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
Vanderbilt University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical Economics student debt is $12,424. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
Northwestern University placed #14 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Graduates carry a median of $16,227 in student loans. See the full Northwestern University profile
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. The median Economics program debt is $24,521. More on Colorado School Of Mines
Amherst College placed #16 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Amherst, MA, Amherst College is a private not-for-profit institution. Amherst College graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. The median Economics program debt is $16,662. More on Amherst College
Cuny Graduate School And University Center did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete their Economics program here. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Harvard University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. About 98% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Harvard University Economics students take on a median of $6,617 in debt. Read the full report on Harvard University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Economics students take on a median of $22,020 in debt. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Bowdoin College landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. Based in Brunswick, ME, Bowdoin College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Typical Economics student debt is $19,500. More on Bowdoin College
Cornell University landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Cornell University Economics students take on a median of $15,500 in debt. More on Cornell University
Colgate University placed #22 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Colgate University posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,306. The median Economics program debt is $17,500. Read more about Colgate University
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Economics students take on a median of $14,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Brown University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Get the full Brown University report
University Of California Berkeley did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical Economics student debt is $13,000. Get the full University Of California Berkeley report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Economics Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Stanford University placed #26 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Stanford University Economics students take on a median of $12,500 in debt. More on Stanford University
Bucknell University did well this year, earning the #27 position. Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lewisburg, PA. Bucknell University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Students borrow a median of $25,888 to complete their Economics program here. More on Bucknell University
Lafayette College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Easton, PA, Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit institution. Lafayette College posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Economics program here. More on Lafayette College
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Economics program debt is $19,000. More on University Of Virginia Main Campus
Wellesley College landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Wellesley, MA, Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,190 to complete their Economics program here. More on Wellesley College
Wake Forest University landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. The median Economics program debt is $20,927. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Depauw University landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. Depauw University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greencastle, IN. About 75% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,070. Graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. See the full Depauw University profile
Barnard College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Barnard College is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Get the full Barnard College report
Bates College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in Lewiston, ME, Bates College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,590. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Economics program here. Get the full Bates College report
Washington And Lee University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. The median Economics program debt is $23,399. See the full Washington And Lee University profile
Haverford College placed #36 among Economics schools in the United States. Based in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,398. More on Haverford College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #37 among Economics schools in the United States. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. The median Economics program debt is $19,690. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Carleton College placed #38 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Northfield, MN, Carleton College is a private not-for-profit institution. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Typical Economics student debt is $19,500. More on Carleton College
Denison University did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Granville, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,102 in student loans. Read the full report on Denison University
College Of The Holy Cross came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of The Holy Cross posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. The median Economics program debt is $27,000. Get the full College Of The Holy Cross report
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #41 position. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. The median Economics program debt is $14,110. More on Washington University In St Louis
Santa Clara University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Based in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Grinnell College came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Grinnell, IA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,196. Grinnell College Economics students take on a median of $16,950 in debt. More on Grinnell College
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit school based in Sioux Falls, SD. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,160 in tuition and fees. The median Economics program debt is $26,217. More on Augustana College South Dakota
Villanova University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Typical Economics student debt is $27,000. See the full Villanova University profile
Swarthmore College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Swarthmore, PA, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More on Swarthmore College
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #47 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Medford, MA. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Tufts University Economics students take on a median of $17,850 in debt. Get the full Tufts University report
Vassar College placed #48 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. Typical Economics student debt is $19,000. See the full Vassar College profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Economics students take on a median of $15,843 in debt. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Lycoming College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamsport, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,804. Typical Economics student debt is $26,973. Get the full Lycoming College report
Best Economics Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Economics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Economics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Economics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Economics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 937 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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