2026 Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Economics bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 937 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Economics Bachelor’s Degree 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. Claremont Mckenna College graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,980. The median Economics program debt is $12,000. More on Claremont Mckenna College
Williams College came in at #2 on this year's Economics ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamstown, MA. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete their Economics program here. Read more about Williams College
Duke University came in at #3 on this year's Economics ranking in the United States. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Duke University Economics students take on a median of $13,437 in debt. Read more about Duke University
Out of the 937 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rice University landed the #4 spot. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Rice University Economics students take on a median of $11,289 in debt. Read more about Rice University
A rank of #5 makes Dartmouth College one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. The median Economics program debt is $18,400. Read more about Dartmouth College
Princeton University placed #6 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. The median Economics program debt is $11,250. See the full Princeton University profile
University Of Chicago landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical Economics student debt is $13,197. Read more about University Of Chicago
Yale University placed #8 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Yale University Economics students take on a median of $13,250 in debt. Read the full report on Yale University
University Of Notre Dame placed #9 among Economics schools in the United States. Based in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. 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. More on University Of Notre Dame
Vanderbilt University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Pomona College landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $65,420 in tuition and fees. See the full Pomona College profile
Northwestern University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. The median Economics program debt is $16,227. Get the full Northwestern University report
Amherst College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Amherst, MA. Amherst College posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. The median Economics program debt is $16,662. More on Amherst College
Harvard University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. The median Economics program debt is $6,617. Read more about Harvard University
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. The median Economics program debt is $22,020. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. The median Economics program debt is $15,500. Read more about Cornell University
Bowdoin College placed #18 among Economics schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brunswick, ME. Bowdoin College posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. The median Economics program debt is $19,500. Read more about Bowdoin College
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. Typical Economics student debt is $14,000. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Brown University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about Brown University
Colgate University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Hamilton, NY, Colgate University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. The median Economics program debt is $17,500. Get the full Colgate University report
Johns Hopkins University placed #22 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical Economics student debt is $12,494. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of California Berkeley ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Economics program here. More on University Of California Berkeley
Stanford University did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Get the full Stanford University report
Bucknell University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Lewisburg, PA, Bucknell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,812. The median Economics program debt is $25,888. See the full Bucknell University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #26 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Typical Economics student debt is $19,000. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Lafayette College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Lafayette College is a private not-for-profit school based in Easton, PA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. The median Economics program debt is $19,500. Read the full report on Lafayette College
Wellesley College placed #28 among Economics schools in the United States. Wellesley College is a private not-for-profit school based in Wellesley, MA. Wellesley College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Students borrow a median of $11,190 to complete their Economics program here. More on Wellesley College
Wake Forest University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical Economics student debt is $20,927. Get the full Wake Forest University report
Depauw University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Depauw University is a private not-for-profit school based in Greencastle, IN. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. More on Depauw University
Barnard College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in New York, NY, Barnard College is a private not-for-profit institution. Barnard College posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. The median Economics program debt is $16,750. Read more about Barnard College
Bates College did well this year, earning the #32 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lewiston, ME. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $66,590 in tuition and fees. The median Economics program debt is $13,000. Read the full report on Bates College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #33 position. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Economics students take on a median of $19,690 in debt. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Washington And Lee University did well this year, earning the #34 position. Set in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete their Economics program here. Read the full report on Washington And Lee University
Haverford College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Located in Haverford, PA, Haverford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Haverford College posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,398. Get the full Haverford College report
Carleton College placed #36 among Economics schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Northfield, MN. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,892. Typical Economics student debt is $19,500. Read more about Carleton College
Washington University In St Louis came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Washington University In St Louis Economics students take on a median of $14,110 in debt. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
Denison University placed #38 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Granville, OH, Denison University is a private not-for-profit institution. Denison University posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Typical Economics student debt is $24,102. See the full Denison University profile
College Of The Holy Cross placed #39 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Worcester, MA, College Of The Holy Cross is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,500. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on College Of The Holy Cross
Georgetown University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Get the full Georgetown University report
Santa Clara University placed #41 among Economics schools in the United States. Located 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%. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Economics program here. Read the full report on Santa Clara University
Grinnell College did well this year, earning the #42 position. 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 run about $68,196. Graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. More on Grinnell College
Augustana College South Dakota placed #43 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Sioux Falls, SD, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Graduates carry a median of $26,217 in student loans. Read more about Augustana College South Dakota
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical Economics student debt is $27,000. Read more about Villanova University
Tufts University placed #45 among Economics schools in the United States. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. Typical Economics student debt is $17,850. Get the full Tufts University report
Swarthmore College placed #46 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Swarthmore, PA, Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution. Swarthmore College posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Economics program here. See the full Swarthmore College profile
Vassar College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Based 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. Read the full report on Vassar College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Economics students take on a median of $15,843 in debt. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Boston College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Boston College Economics students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. Read the full report on Boston College
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete their Economics program here. Get the full University Of California Santa Barbara report
Related Economics Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Economics Schools (All Levels)
- Best Economics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Economics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Economics Associate’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).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.