Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees 2025
The best economics degree programs are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best economics degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding economics faculty.
Key Takeaways
- Many leading universities, such as Stanford, offer a variety of specializations, including environmental economics, behavioral economics, and international trade, allowing students to tailor their education and collaborate across disciplines like public policy, business, and law.
- Top schools like the University of Chicago offer advanced coursework in econometrics, data analysis, and game theory, alongside access to renowned research centers such as the Becker Friedman Institute, allowing students to engage in cutting-edge economic research and policy analysis.
- Universities like New York University (NYU) and Georgetown University provide students with access to internships and networking opportunities in major financial districts like Wall Street or policymaking institutions in Washington, D.C., giving them real-world exposure to the economic field.
Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best colleges and universities for economics degrees saw a fair amount of movement. The University of Arizona raised the most ranking positions as a result of the school improving its Economics Data Lab, which provides students with access to advanced software and data analytics tools for conducting research on global markets, financial systems, and policy impacts. Additionally, the university has added new interdisciplinary courses that integrate economics with environmental sustainability, focusing on the economics of climate change and resource management.
The Global Economics Fellowship Program has also been strengthened, offering students more opportunities for international internships, research projects, and study abroad experiences that focus on global economic systems and development. These updates offer economics students hands-on learning and research experiences in both local and global contexts.
A bachelor’s degree in economics is an excellent starting point for a career in finance, policy development, marketing, and a host of other highly lucrative fields. As an economics major, you’ll study production, consumption, wealth transfer, and the way these activities relate to policy and governance. Your economics degree will also incorporate such core principles of monetary policy, budget planning, and cost analysis. The best schools for economics are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of economics concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.
Degree popularity: Economics bachelor’s degrees are the 35th most popular undergraduate degrees across all student demographics. It’s most popular among Asian Americans and Pacific Islander men and women, for whom it ranks as the 17th most desired degree, according to the number of degree earners reported by the National Center for Educational Statistics
Featured Programs
The Best Colleges and Universities for Economics Degrees
- #1 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #1 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #1 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #1 Top Schools that Offer Free Master's Degrees Online
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
3%
Graduation
98%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/35
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Harvard University
Cost of Degree: $59,076Expenses: $27,629Starting Salary: $149,005Salary after 4 years: $196,249Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Harvard University known for?
Harvard University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #4 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #4 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2024 #5 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
96%
Student body
21K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Chicago
Cost of Degree: $65,619Expenses: $23,421Starting Salary: $110,334Salary after 4 years: $145,317Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Chicago known for?
University of Chicago’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Social Work
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Law
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #5 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #6 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025 #6 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
5%
Graduation
98%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1540/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Yale University
Cost of Degree: $64,700Expenses: $23,600Starting Salary: $133,258Salary after 4 years: $175,509Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Yale University known for?
Yale University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #6 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #6 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #7 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$57K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
97%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1535/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Princeton University
Cost of Degree: $59,710Expenses: $24,330Starting Salary: $124,581Salary after 4 years: $164,081Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Princeton University known for?
Princeton University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Religious Studies
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- Economics
- History
- Literature
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #7 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2025 #7 50 Best Private Colleges and Universities for Undergrads 2025 #8 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2025
Tuition + fees
$58K
Acceptance
4%
Graduation
95%
Student body
13K
Median SAT/ACT
1555/35
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cost of Degree: $60,156Expenses: $22,574Starting Salary: $164,537Salary after 4 years: $216,706Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Massachusetts Institute of Technology known for?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Business
- Biology
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2025 #18 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #20 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #20 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
68%
Student body
54K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/25
Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Arizona
Cost of Degree: $13,277Expenses: $19,500Starting Salary: $52,560Salary after 4 years: $69,178Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryUniversity of Arizona’s Online Degrees
BA in Africana Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Administration of Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Care, Health and Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Emergency Medical Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Cyber Operations
Degree Concentrations
- Engineering
- Defense & Forensics
- and Cyber Law & Policy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Early Childhood
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Economy and Industry
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies, in Arts, Media and Entertainment
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Global and Intercultural Understanding
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Global Media
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Government and Public Service
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Rights Practice
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Geographic Information Systems Technology (GIST)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Literacy, Learning and Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Information Science and ESociety
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Law
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Regional Commerce
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Intelligence and Information Operations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Philosophy: Ethics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Biology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nutritional Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Spanish
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Sports and Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sustainable Built Environments
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Social Behavior and Human Understanding
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Connecticut 2025 #1 Best Small Colleges in Connecticut 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
14%
Graduation
93%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1415/32
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Wesleyan University
Cost of Degree: $67,016Expenses: $21,704Starting Salary: $67,915Salary after 4 years: $89,448Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wesleyan University known for?
Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Psychology
- History
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Physics
- Education
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #3 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #5 15 Colleges with the Happiest Freshmen #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Tuition + fees
$64K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
92%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1485/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Amherst College
Cost of Degree: $67,280Expenses: $20,360Starting Salary: $89,232Salary after 4 years: $117,524Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Amherst College known for?
Amherst College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Literature
- Law
- Political Science
- Education
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- History
- Religious Studies
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #4 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #1 Best Small Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024
Tuition + fees
$59K
Acceptance
7%
Graduation
94%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1500/33
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Swarthmore College
Cost of Degree: $62,412Expenses: $21,691Starting Salary: $74,984Salary after 4 years: $98,759Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Swarthmore College known for?
Swarthmore College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Communications
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 50 Best Small Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #6 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #2 Best Small Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Tuition + fees
$62K
Acceptance
8%
Graduation
95%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1525/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Williams College
Cost of Degree: $64,860Expenses: $20,000Starting Salary: $96,194Salary after 4 years: $126,694Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Williams College known for?
Williams College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Economics
- Political Science
- History
- Physics
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Anthropology
- Philosophy
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Research Universities in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #1 Best Grad Schools in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
73%
Graduation
62%
Student body
22K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/21
Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Cost of Degree: $12,186Expenses: $20,145Starting Salary: $48,618Salary after 4 years: $63,989Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa known for?
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Anthropology
- Political Science
- Biology
- Physics
- Law
- Communications
- Education
- Sociology
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Online Degrees
BA in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Human Relations In Organizations
- Social Sciences Of Oceans
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Women'S, Gender, And Sexuality Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Small Colleges in California 2025 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Psychology Degrees #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025
Tuition + fees
$61K
Acceptance
10%
Graduation
91%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1495/34
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Claremont McKenna College
Cost of Degree: $64,150Expenses: $22,350Starting Salary: $99,836Salary after 4 years: $131,491Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Claremont McKenna College known for?
Claremont McKenna College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Literature
- Political Science
- Business
- Philosophy
- Religious Studies
- Sociology
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Grad School in Alaska 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Alaska 2024 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Alaska 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
39%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Alaska Fairbanks
Cost of Degree: $10,016Expenses: $16,700Starting Salary: $42,329Salary after 4 years: $55,713Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Alaska Fairbanks known for?
University of Alaska Fairbanks’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Political Science
- Communications
- Engineering
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Physics
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Online Degrees
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAAS in Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Finance
- General Business
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Sport Management
- Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Biological Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSEM in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management
- Emergency Management
- Emergency Medical and Public Health Management
- Fire Administration
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Biological Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAM in Applied Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri 2024 #6 Best Research Universities in Missouri 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Missouri 2025 #9 Best Colleges in Missouri 2024
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
58%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1101/23
Career Outlook for Economics degree at Missouri State University
Cost of Degree: $9,024Expenses: $16,024Starting Salary: $41,766Salary after 4 years: $54,972Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Missouri State University known for?
Missouri State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Religious Studies
- Business
- Education
- Political Science
- Earth Sciences
- Psychology
- History
- Communications
- Economics
Most Influential Alumni
Missouri State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Health Services
Degree Concentrations
- Health Services
- Clinical services
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS/BS in Hospitality Leadership
Degree Concentrations
- Club management
- Food and beverage
- General operations
- Lodging
- Senior living management
- Tourism
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Communication Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Religious Studies
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Analysis
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Application Development
- IT Infrastructure or Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Professional Writing
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Finance
Degree Concentrations
- Corporate and Investments
- Financial Planning
- Required Credits: 120-121
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sociology
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in General Business
Degree Concentrations
- Business Relationships
- Financial and Quantitative Analysis
- International Business Environment
- Markets and Economies
- Project and Technology Management
- Risk Management and Compliance
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Career Outlook for Students with Economics Degree
Go to Degree Finder toolEconomics
Degree Level: Bachelor's
- Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
- Avg. Cost of Degree*: $12,136
- Avg. Expenses*: $18,134
- Avg. Starting Salary*: $48,072
- Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $63,272
- Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 10 years
- Job Growth: 2.90%
- Number of Jobs: 2,434,100
- * denotes ‘annually’
- ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’
Career Salaries
Career | Job Growth | Avg. Salary |
---|---|---|
Managers, All Other | 5.75% | $133,560 |
Economists | 5.14% | $115,730 |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | 3.23% | $115,300 |
Data Scientists | 36.03% | $108,020 |
Statisticians | 11.73% | $104,110 |
Top Industries
Industry | Avg. Salary |
---|---|
Managers, All Other | $133,560 |
Economists | $115,730 |
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | $115,300 |
The Best Economics Schools in Your State
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