2023 Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Finding the Best Economics School for You
Economics is the #19 most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
The Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 86 schools in the Great Lakes Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Check out the economics programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 15% Best Economics Schools
Our 2023 rankings named University of Chicago the best school in the Great Lakes Region for economics students. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.
While working on their degree, economics majors at UChicago accumulate an average of around $16,256 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $708, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Economics at University of Chicago Report
Request Information
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Notre Dame is a great place for economics students. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Economics majors at Notre Dame take out an average of $19,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $593, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Economics at University of Notre Dame Report
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, economics graduates from Northwestern carry an average student debtload of $15,500. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $456.
Full Economics at Northwestern University Report
Request Information
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means DePauw University is a great place for economics students. Located in the town of Greencastle, DePauw is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, economics graduates from DePauw carry an average student debtload of $26,814. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $789.
Read full report on Economics at DePauw University
Request Information
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Economics majors at U-M take out an average of $18,742 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $481, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Report
Request Information
Denison University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Denison is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville.
Economics majors at Denison take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
Wheaton College Illinois landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best economics programs. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Wheaton.
The average amount in student loans that economics majors at Wheaton College Illinois take out is $22,944.
Full Economics at Wheaton College Illinois Report
Request Information
University of Wisconsin - River Falls landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best economics programs. Located in the distant town of River Falls, UW - River Falls is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Full Economics at University of Wisconsin - River Falls Report
Request Information
University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #9 on this year’s Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a very large student population.
While working on their degree, economics majors at UW - Madison accumulate an average of around $21,549 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 $202.
Full Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison Report
Request Information
Marquette University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Milwaukee.
While working on their degree, economics majors at Marquette accumulate an average of around $22,500 in student debt.
Full Economics at Marquette University Report
Request Information
Case Western Reserve University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Case Western is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Cleveland.
Economics majors at Case Western take out an average of $21,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
Oberlin College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best economics programs. Oberlin is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin.
While working on their degree, economics majors at Oberlin accumulate an average of around $21,500 in student debt.
Request InformationAdditional Noteworthy Schools
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL |
| 14 | Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL |
| 15 | Kenyon College | Gambier, OH |
| 16 | Purdue University - Main Campus | West Lafayette, IN |
| 17 | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |
Best Economics Colleges by State
Explore the best economics schools for a specific state in the Great Lakes region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 1,496 |
| Ohio | 1,136 |
| Illinois | 2,155 |
| Indiana | 889 |
| Wisconsin | 1,225 |
More Economics Rankings in the Great Lakes Region
Economics Related Rankings by Major
Economics is one of 12 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Economics
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Political Science & Government | 49,282 |
| Sociology | 38,475 |
| General Social Sciences | 18,997 |
| International Relations & National Security | 14,306 |
| Anthropology | 11,415 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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.
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.