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2023 Most Popular Economics Schools

927 Colleges
$48,736 Avg Salary
$22,046 Avg Student Debt

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.

Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Economics Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 927 schools in the United States to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Economics program at each school on the list.

Check out the economics programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

Our analysis found University of California - Los Angeles to be the most popular school for economics students who want to pursue a degree in the United States. UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UCLA take out is $15,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $230.

Full Economics at University of California - Los Angeles Report

Out of the 927 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the # 2 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UW - Madison take out is $21,549. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $202, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 927 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the # 3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.

While working on their degree, economics majors at UC Berkeley accumulate an average of around $11,000 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 $378.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Berkeley

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great place for economics students. U-M is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from U-M carry an average student debt load of $18,742. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $481.

Read full report on Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Out of the 927 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the # 5 spot on the list. UCSB is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UCSB take out is $14,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $297.

Full Economics at University of California - Santa Barbara Report

University of California - Davis landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. UC Davis is a fairly large public school located in the small suburb of Davis.

While working on their degree, economics majors at UC Davis accumulate an average of around $12,500 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $249, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#7

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

University of Chicago ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools list. Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UChicago take out is $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

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools list. UIUC is a very large public school located in the small city of Champaign.

Economics majors at UIUC take out an average of $19,500 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $392.

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#9

New York University

New York, NY

New York University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for economics students. It came in at #9 on the list. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

While working on their degree, economics majors at NYU accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $1,024.

Full Economics at New York University Report

#10

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from University of Virginia carry an average student debt load of $18,290. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $535, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Economics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Economics majors at UMCP take out an average of $20,500 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $345.

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University of California - Irvine came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools ranking. UC Irvine is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Irvine.

Economics majors at UC Irvine take out an average of $15,950 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $146, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Irvine

University of Connecticut ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools list. UCONN is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Storrs.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UCONN take out is $25,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $504, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Economics at University of Connecticut

University of California - San Diego came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools ranking. Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, economics graduates from UCSD take out $15,000 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $343, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Economics at University of California - San Diego Report

With a ranking of #15, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Located in the large city of New York, Columbia is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, economics majors at Columbia accumulate an average of around $26,923 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 $680.

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#16

Boston University

Boston, MA

Boston University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for economics students. It came in at #16 on the list. Boston U is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Boston.

Economics majors at Boston U take out an average of $25,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Economics at Boston University Report

#17

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Economics majors at Boston College take out an average of $18,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $599, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Economics at Boston College Report

University of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. UMass Amherst is a very large public school located in the suburb of Amherst.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UMass Amherst take out is $26,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $306.

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The University of Texas at Austin ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools list. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.

While working on their degree, economics majors at UT Austin accumulate an average of around $20,500 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 $206.

Full Economics at The University of Texas at Austin Report

#20

Utah State University

Logan, UT

Utah State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for economics students. It came in at #20 on the list. USU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Logan.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from USU carry an average student debt load of $13,450.

Full Economics at Utah State University Report

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill.

Economics majors at UNC Chapel Hill take out an average of $16,394 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $173, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Economics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

With a ranking of #22, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UMN Twin Cities take out is $21,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $245, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Economics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Report

#22

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from Johns Hopkins carry an average student debt load of $16,250.

Read full report on Economics at Johns Hopkins University

Rutgers University - New Brunswick ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools list. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from Rutgers New Brunswick carry an average student debt load of $26,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $360, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Economics at Rutgers University - New Brunswick Report

#25

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools list. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Evanston.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from Northwestern carry an average student debt load of $15,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $456.

Read full report on Economics at Northwestern University

#26

Queens College

Queens, NY
#28

Binghamton University

Vestal, NY
#29

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI
#34

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL
#35

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY
#35

Pasadena City College

Pasadena, CA
#37

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA
#38

University at Albany

Albany, NY
#40

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL
#41

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA
#42

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN
#43

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA
#44

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR
#44

Georgetown University

Washington, DC
#46

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN
#47

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
#47

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY
#49

Duke University

Durham, NC
#50

George Washington University

Washington, DC

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Economics Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 927 different United States economics schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Houston Houston, TX
51 Yale University New Haven, CT
53 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
54 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ
54 Tufts University Medford, MA
56 Northeastern University Boston, MA
57 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
58 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
59 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
60 Blinn College Brenham, TX
61 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
61 Brown University Providence, RI
63 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
64 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
65 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
66 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
67 University of South Florida - Main Campus Tampa, FL
68 Santa Barbara City College Santa Barbara, CA
69 Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA
70 Dartmouth College Hanover, NH
70 Brigham Young University - Provo Provo, UT
72 University of Delaware Newark, DE
73 Fordham University Bronx, NY
74 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
75 Emory University Atlanta, GA
76 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD
76 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA
78 Frostburg State University Frostburg, MD
79 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
80 Florida International University Miami, FL
80 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY
82 Grossmont College El Cajon, CA
83 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
84 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO
85 Fort Hays State University Hays, KS
86 Villanova University Villanova, PA
87 Clemson University Clemson, SC
88 The City College of New York New York, NY
89 American University Washington, DC
90 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
91 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
91 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
91 College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA
94 West Valley College Saratoga, CA
95 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
95 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA
97 Rice University Houston, TX
98 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
99 University of Rochester Rochester, NY
99 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
101 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
102 Hunter College New York, NY
103 Moorpark College Moorpark, CA
104 University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MD
104 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
106 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
107 Colgate University Hamilton, NY
107 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
109 Stanford University Stanford, CA
109 Claremont McKenna College Claremont, CA
111 University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO
112 Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
113 Lafayette College Easton, PA
113 Washington University in St Louis Saint Louis, MO
113 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
116 East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA
117 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
118 Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA
119 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VA
120 University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK
120 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA
120 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
123 Williams College Williamstown, MA
124 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
125 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA
125 Los Angeles Pierce College Woodland Hills, CA
127 Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX
127 Baruch College New York, NY
127 Middlebury College Middlebury, VT
130 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC
130 Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
130 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
133 Towson University Towson, MD
133 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
133 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA
136 Hobart and William Smith Colleges Geneva, NY
137 Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
138 DePauw University Greencastle, IN
138 St Olaf College Northfield, MN
138 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Economics Schools award.

Rank College Location
141 University of Vermont Burlington, VT
142 Washington State University Pullman, WA
142 Sierra College Rocklin, CA
144 Folsom Lake College Folsom, CA
145 Davidson College Davidson, NC
145 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
147 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH
148 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
149 Pace University - New York New York, NY
149 University of Georgia Athens, GA
149 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
152 Portland State University Portland, OR
152 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
154 Barnard College New York, NY
154 St Lawrence University Canton, NY
154 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
154 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX
158 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
159 Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA
159 Trinity College Hartford, CT
161 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
161 College of San Mateo San Mateo, CA
163 Hamilton College Clinton, NY
164 Colby College Waterville, ME
164 Denison University Granville, OH
164 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
167 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
167 Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME
167 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
170 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
170 University of Denver Denver, CO
172 Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO
173 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
173 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI
175 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
175 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
175 Clark University Worcester, MA
175 Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA
179 Pepperdine University Malibu, CA
179 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY
181 De Anza College Cupertino, CA
182 Centre College Danville, KY
182 Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA
184 Providence College Providence, RI
184 Buffalo State Buffalo, NY
184 Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA

Economics by Region

View the Most Popular Economics Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 12 majors within the area of study, economics has other similar majors worth exploring.

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.

  • 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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