2026 Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Economics master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 937 colleges 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Duke University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical Economics student debt is $13,437. Get the full Duke University report
You'll be in good company at Rice University, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Rice University Economics students take on a median of $11,289 in debt. Read more about Rice University
Out of the 937 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #3 spot. Based in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
Out of the 937 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #4 spot. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. See the full Princeton University profile
The strong Economics programs at Johns Hopkins University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,494 to complete their Economics program here. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This public school is set in Golden, CO. About 82% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical Economics student debt is $24,521. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Yale University placed #7 among Economics schools in the United States. Yale University is a private not-for-profit school based in New Haven, CT. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Yale University Economics students take on a median of $13,250 in debt. Get the full Yale University report
Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Vanderbilt University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Vanderbilt University Economics students take on a median of $12,424 in debt. Read the full report on Vanderbilt University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,235 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Typical Economics student debt is $17,921. More on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Harvard University placed #10 among Economics schools in the United States. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Harvard University Economics students take on a median of $6,617 in debt. Read the full report on Harvard University
Northwestern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,227 to complete their Economics program here. See the full Northwestern University profile
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Carnegie Mellon University Economics students take on a median of $22,020 in debt. More on Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Notre Dame did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Economics students take on a median of $19,965 in debt. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Cornell University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete their Economics program here. See the full Cornell University profile
Stanford University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. See the full Stanford University profile
University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among Economics schools in the United States. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Brown University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Brown University posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Brown University
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among Economics schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Economics program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. The median Economics program debt is $19,000. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical Economics student debt is $19,690. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based 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. Graduates carry a median of $17,850 in student loans. See the full Tufts University profile
University Of Chicago landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. University Of Chicago Economics students take on a median of $13,197 in debt. Read more about University Of Chicago
Washington University In St Louis came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $14,110 in student loans. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Economics program here. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
Georgetown University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Georgetown University Economics students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. Get the full Georgetown University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Boston College did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical Economics student debt is $18,000. More on Boston College
Emory University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Based in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Get the full Emory University report
University Of Rochester came in at #28 in this year's ranking. University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. University Of Rochester posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Graduates carry a median of $19,946 in student loans. See the full University Of Rochester profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #29 among Economics schools in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Economics students take on a median of $20,750 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Economics student debt is $20,097. More on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Southern California landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median Economics program debt is $14,000. More on University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #32 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Economics student debt is $15,000. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Marquette University placed #33 among Economics schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marquette University posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,718 in student loans. See the full Marquette University profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Read more about Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #35 among Economics schools in the United States. Based in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Economics student debt is $21,228. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Irvine came in at #36 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. University Of California Irvine Economics students take on a median of $15,499 in debt. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #37 in this year's ranking. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. About 83% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical Economics student debt is $13,516. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #38 position. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Graduates carry a median of $25,261 in student loans. More on University Of Delaware
University Of North Dakota did well this year, earning the #39 position. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. University Of North Dakota posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical Economics student debt is $25,110. Read the full report on University Of North Dakota
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median Economics program debt is $24,700. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,166 to complete their Economics program here. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of California San Diego ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This public school is set in La Jolla, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. The median Economics program debt is $15,000. Get the full University Of California San Diego report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete their Economics program here. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Catholic University Of America placed #44 among Economics schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Catholic University Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete their Economics program here. Get the full Catholic University Of America report
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #45 among Economics schools in the United States. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #46 position. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Economics program here. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
New York University came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete their Economics program here. Get the full New York University report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Economics schools. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Economics program here. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
Claremont Graduate University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report
Southern Methodist University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Southern Methodist University Economics students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on Southern Methodist University
Related Economics Rankings
Explore 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Economics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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