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Most Popular Economics Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Economics Schools in California

147 Colleges
$48,538 Avg Salary
$16,133 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Economics School for You

Out of the majors we analyze each year, economics was ranked 2nd in California. In fact, 10,509 were awarded in the state in <nil>.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for business students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking is one of many tools that Business Degree Central has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 147 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Economics program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for economics majors pursuing a .

Our 2023 rankings named University of California - Los Angeles the most popular school in California for economics students. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Economics majors at UCLA take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $376, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 147 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Economics majors at UC Berkeley take out an average of $12,650 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $343.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Berkeley

The excellent programs at University of California - Santa Barbara helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best economics schools in California. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public college with a very large student population.

On average, economics graduates from UCSB take out $13,440 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $308, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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The excellent programs at University of California - Davis helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best economics schools in California. Located in the suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UC Davis take out is $12,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $297, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Davis

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of California - Irvine is a great place for economics students. Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, economics graduates from UC Irvine take out $15,004 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $185, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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University of California - San Diego landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. UCSD is a fairly large public school located in the large city of La Jolla.

While working on their degree, economics majors at UCSD accumulate an average of around $14,667 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $249.

Full Economics at University of California - San Diego Report

University of California - Riverside did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for economics students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the large city of Riverside, UCR is a public school with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, economics majors at UCR accumulate an average of around $17,666 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $214.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Riverside

With a ranking of #8, University of Southern California did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

While working on their degree, economics majors at USC accumulate an average of around $13,850 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $355, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Economics at University of Southern California Report

#9

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for economics students. It came in at #9 on the list. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Pasadena.

Full Economics at Pasadena City College Report

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. SDSU is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from SDSU carry an average student debt load of $15,250. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $246.

Read full report on Economics at San Diego State University

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Santa Cruz.

While working on their degree, economics majors at UC Santa Cruz accumulate an average of around $18,017 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $532.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Santa Cruz

California State University - Sacramento ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. Sac State is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Sacramento.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from Sac State carry an average student debt load of $15,493.

Read full report on Economics at California State University - Sacramento

#13

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. SBCC is a large public school located in the small city of Santa Barbara.

Read full report on Economics at Santa Barbara City College

#14

Grossmont College

El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Economics at Grossmont College Report

#15

West Valley College

Saratoga, CA

West Valley College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Full Economics at West Valley College Report

#16

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Full Economics at San Jose State University Report

#17

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Moorpark College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Moorpark.

Read full report on Economics at Moorpark College

#18

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

With a ranking of #18, Stanford University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Stanford.

While working on their degree, economics majors at Stanford accumulate an average of around $12,500 in student debt.

Full Economics at Stanford University Report

#18

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Claremont McKenna is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont.

While working on their degree, economics majors at Claremont McKenna accumulate an average of around $12,000 in student debt.

Full Economics at Claremont McKenna College Report

#20

Golden West College

Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a public school with a large student population.

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California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, economics graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out $17,500 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $471.

Full Economics at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Report

#22

East Los Angeles College

Monterey Park, CA

East Los Angeles College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. East Los Angeles College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Monterey Park.

Full Economics at East Los Angeles College Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional popular schools for Economics students in the state of California that almost earned our Most Popular Economics Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
23 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
24 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA
25 Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA
25 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA
27 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
28 Sierra College Rocklin, CA
29 Folsom Lake College Folsom, CA

Best Economics Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Economics Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 713
Oregon 590
Nevada 147
Hawaii 92
Alaska 17

Economics Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Economics 25,066
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics 21,078
Applied Economics 550
Development Economics & International Development 535
International Economics 305
Other Economics 275

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 26 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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