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Best Economics Schools in Illinois

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2023 Best Economics Schools in Illinois

24 Colleges
$51,939 Avg Salary
$23,350 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Economics School for You

With 2,155 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, economics is the #13 most popular major in Illinois.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Economics Schools in Illinois to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 24 schools in Illinois to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Economics Schools in Illinois

Check out the economics programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Economics Schools

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

Our analysis found University of Chicago to be the best school for economics students who want to pursue a degree in Illinois. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from UChicago carry an average student debtload of $16,256. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $708.

Full Economics at University of Chicago Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Economics Schools in Illinois list. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at Northwestern take out is $15,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $456.

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A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Wheaton College Illinois is a great place for economics students. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton.

On average, economics graduates from Wheaton College Illinois take out $22,944 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Economics at Wheaton College Illinois Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Economics Schools in Illinois list. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from UIUC carry an average student debtload of $19,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $392.

Full Economics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

#5

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lake Forest College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Economics Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Economics majors at Lake Forest take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Economics at Lake Forest College

#6

Dominican University

River Forest, IL

Dominican University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best economics programs. Located in the large suburb of River Forest, Dominican U is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Full Economics at Dominican University Report

#7

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL

Augustana College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Economics Schools in Illinois list. Augustana is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Rock Island.

Read full report on Economics at Augustana College

#8

North Central College

Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Economics Schools in Illinois list. North Central is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Naperville.

Economics majors at North Central take out an average of $26,843 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $215.

Full Economics at North Central College Report

Illinois State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for economics students. It came in at #9 on the list. Illinois State is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of Normal.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from Illinois State carry an average student debtload of $25,625.

Read full report on Economics at Illinois State University

#10

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL

With a ranking of #10, Elmhurst University did quite well on this year’s best schools for economics students. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Economics at Elmhurst University

Best Economics Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Michigan 1,496
Ohio 1,136
Indiana 889
Wisconsin 1,225

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 24 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.

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