2023 Most Popular Economics Schools in California
Finding the Best Economics School for You
In 2020-2021, 10,510 degrees and certificates were awarded to economics students who went to a California college or university. This makes it the #12 most popular major in the state.
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 147 schools in California 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.
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2023 Most Popular Economics Schools in California
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Economics Colleges.
Top 15% Most Popular Economics Schools
Our 2023 rankings named University of California - Los Angeles the most popular school in California for economics students. UCLA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.
While working on their degree, economics majors at UCLA accumulate an average of around $15,000 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $230.
Out of the 147 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the # 2 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley.
On average, economics graduates from UC Berkeley take out $11,000 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $378.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of California - Santa Barbara is a great place for economics students. UCSB is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara.
While working on their degree, economics majors at UCSB accumulate an average of around $14,500 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $297, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Read full report on Economics at University of California - Santa Barbara
The excellent programs at University of California - Davis helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best economics schools in California. UC Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis.
On average, economics graduates from UC Davis take out $12,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $249.
Read full report on Economics at University of California - Davis
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of California - Irvine is a great place for economics students. UC Irvine is a very large public school located in the large city of Irvine.
The average amount in student loans that economics majors at UC Irvine take out is $15,950. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $146.
Read full report on Economics at University of California - Irvine
University of California - San Diego ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public school with a very large student population.
After completing their degree, economics graduates from UCSD carry an average student debt load of $15,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $343.
Full Economics at University of California - San Diego Report
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Riverside did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. UCR is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside.
On average, economics graduates from UCR take out $18,820 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $103, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Economics at University of California - Riverside Report
University of Southern California ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that economics majors at USC take out is $15,987. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $311.
Read full report on Economics at University of Southern California
Pasadena City College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. Located in the midsize city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
With a ranking of #10, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Economics majors at SDSU take out an average of $16,633 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $221.
University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public college with a large student population.
After completing their degree, economics graduates from UC Santa Cruz carry an average student debt load of $16,932. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $368, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Economics at University of California - Santa Cruz Report
California State University - Sacramento came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, economics majors at Sac State accumulate an average of around $17,500 in student debt.
Full Economics at California State University - Sacramento Report
With a ranking of #13, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Located in the small city of Santa Barbara, SBCC is a public college with a large student population.
Grossmont College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in California list. Grossmont College is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon.
West Valley College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. West Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Saratoga.
San Jose State 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. San Jose State is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose.
Moorpark College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Stanford University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
With a ranking of #18, Claremont McKenna College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont McKenna is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Economics majors at Claremont McKenna take out an average of $12,500 in student loans while working on their egree.
Golden West College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in California ranking. Golden West College is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Huntington Beach.
With a ranking of #21, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for economics students. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.
The average amount in student loans that economics majors at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo take out is $19,074. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $367, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
East Los Angeles College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. Located in the suburb of Monterey Park, East Los Angeles College is a public school with a very large student population.
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 in California award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA |
| 24 | Los Angeles Valley College | Valley Glen, CA |
| 25 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA |
| 25 | Los Angeles Pierce College | Woodland Hills, CA |
| 27 | California State University - Northridge | Northridge, CA |
| 28 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA |
| 29 | Folsom Lake College | Folsom, CA |
Best Economics Colleges in the Far Western US Region
Explore all the Most Popular Economics Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Washington | 713 |
| Oregon | 596 |
| Nevada | 147 |
| Hawaii | 92 |
| Alaska | 17 |
Majors Related to Economics
One of 12 majors within the area of study, economics has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Related Majors
| 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 26 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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