What jobs can I do with a master’s degree in economics?–

The following are among the most popular jobs for economics masters: Economists. Financial Analysts. Budget Analysts. Personal Financial Advisors. Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists. Cost Estimators

Best Online Master’s in Economics 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN ECONOMICS

By Dr. James Barham and Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski

Updated: Nov 20, 2024

Key Takeaways

Many of the best online master’s in economics programs emphasize the use of modern data analysis tools like Python, R, and Stata, equipping students with practical skills in econometrics and big data for real-world economic problem-solving.
Top online master’s in economics programs often offer courses in international trade, global markets, and economic policy, preparing students to address global economic challenges and pursue careers with multinational corporations or policy organizations.
The programs in our ranking frequently provide specializations such as financial economics, behavioral economics, or environmental economics, allowing students to align their studies with their professional interests and goals.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Online Master's in Economics Degrees in 2025

Johns Hopkins University
University of Arizona
+2
University of Missouri
Northeastern University
–2
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Manhattan College
+1
University of Detroit Mercy
+6
University of Massachusetts Lowell
+8
Youngstown State University
+1
Missouri State University
–2

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 online master’s in economics programs saw a considerable amount of change. The University of Massachusetts Lowell gained the most ranking positions as the university now offers specialized tracks in areas such as health economics, environmental economics, and data analytics, allowing students to tailor their studies to specific career goals.

Additionally, the curriculum has been updated to include advanced econometric techniques and the use of statistical software, equipping students with practical skills in data analysis. The university has also expanded opportunities for internships and research collaborations with local industries and government agencies, providing students with hands-on experience and professional networking opportunities. These improvements reflect UMass Lowell’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive and career-focused economics education.

Featured Programs

Ranking: Best Online Masters’s in Economics Degree Programs

Career Outlook for Students with Economics Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Economics

Degree Level: Master's

Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
Avg. Cost of Degree*: $14,411
Avg. Expenses*: $19,822
Avg. Starting Salary*: $75,311
Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $87,240
Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 5 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
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	8.29%	$74,680
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	-0.64%	$65,220
Survey Researchers	No data	$60,960
Social Science Research Assistants	6.40%	$56,400

Top Industries

Industry	Avg. Salary
Managers, All Other	$133,560
Economists	$115,730
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$115,300
Data Scientists	$108,020
Statisticians	$104,110
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	$74,680
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$65,220
Survey Researchers	$60,960
Social Science Research Assistants	$56,400

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

An online master’s in economics is an excellent degree for those who wish to advance a career in banking, financial consulting, brokerage, financial analysis, and a host of other well-paying careers. As a master of economics, you could choose from an array of specializations, including global trade, financial market behavior, retail cost analysis, insurance risk assessment, and countless other areas. The best graduate schools for economics will have regional and programmatic accreditation, offer a full array of economics specializations, and give you the chance to conduct research alongside the most influential professors and classmates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Economics Programs

Students who wish to become economists, or leaders in areas such as financial consultation and investment advising, should consider earning this advanced degree. Opportunities such as policy analyst and data scientist are often reserved for those who have earned a master’s degree. If you plan to conduct research or teach at the post-secondary level, this advanced degree is widely seen as an important threshold on your path to a PhD.

The emphasis on academic credentials in economics is high. Your advanced degree will make you more appealing to employers and open the door to greater career advancement. You could also work in a wide variety of professional settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, 23% of economists worked as researchers and analysts in the financial government, with an additional 9% working in government at the state level. 18% worked in scientific development and another 17% were working in management, scientific, and technical consulting services. Just 7% were employed in the areas of finance and insurance, suggesting that as a graduate with a master’s in economics, you have a lot of career options.

You now have the choice to pursue a master’s in economics online from top-notch colleges and universities. For many, the flexibliilty of online degree programs mean the have the opportunity to get a degree when previously it may have been difficult or nearly impossible.

Some master’s in economics degree programs may require you to complete a Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scoring requirements will vary from one economics master’s program to the next.

If no GRE is required, the primary requirement for gaining eligibility into an economics master’s program is completion of a bachelor’s degree from a properly accredited undergraduate school. While programmatic accreditation is not specifically required in this field, most regionally accredited graduate schools will require that your bachelor’s degree be granted by a regionally accredited college or university.

Direct any further questions to a representative from your intended program including inquiries about application requirements, work experience, academic performance thresholds, referrals, and prerequisite courses. If you’re still working on building your qualifications, check out our look at the economics major to find out how you can get an undergraduate degree in economics.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of job opportunities for economists is expected to grow at a robust rate of 14% by 2029. Depending on what you choose to do within the field, your economics degree could also lead to well above-average pay. The BLS reports that financial analysts earned a median salary of $81,590 in 2019, while personal financial advisors earned $87,850, and economists pulled in $105,020.

The following are among the most popular jobs for economics masters:

Learn more about what you can do with a master’s in economics.

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Best Online Master’s in Economics 2025

Key Takeaways

Top 10 Online Master's in Economics Degrees in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Ranking: Best Online Masters’s in Economics Degree Programs

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for Economics degree at Johns Hopkins University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Arizona

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Missouri

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at Northeastern University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at Manhattan College

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Detroit Mercy

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

Online Degrees

Concentrations

Career Outlook for Economics degree at Youngstown State University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at Missouri State University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Southern New Hampshire University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Murray State University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Empire State University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Park University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Saginaw Valley State University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Northwood University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at West Texas A&M University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Utica University

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Career Outlook for Economics degree at Colorado Christian University

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Economics degree at University of Houston–Victoria

Online Degrees

Career Outlook for Students with Economics Degree

Economics

Degree Level: Master's

Career Salaries

Top Industries

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Economics Programs

What can I do with a master’s degree in economics?

Why get a master’s degree in economics?

How do I get into a master’s degree program in economics?

Is it worth getting an online master’s degree in economics?

What jobs can I do with a master’s degree in economics?