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