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Most Popular Economics Schools in Illinois

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2023 Most Popular Economics Schools in Illinois

35 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Economics Schools in Illinois ranking. Our analysis looked at 35 schools in Illinois 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 Illinois.

#1

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

Our 2023 rankings named University of Chicago the most popular school in Illinois for economics students. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Chicago.

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.

Read full report on Economics at University of Chicago

The excellent programs at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best economics schools in Illinois. Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public college with a very large student population.

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.

Full Economics at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Report

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Out of the 35 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.

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

Out of the 35 schools in Illinois that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Chicago landed the # 4 spot on the list. UIC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Chicago.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from UIC carry an average student debt load of $21,233.

Read More…

#5

DePaul University

Chicago, IL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend DePaul University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Economics Schools in Illinois list. Located in the large city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at DePaul take out is $24,500.

Read More…

The excellent programs at Illinois State University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best economics schools in Illinois. Illinois State is a very large public school located in the midsize suburb of Normal.

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

Read full report on Economics at Illinois State University

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in Illinois ranking. Wheaton College Illinois is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton.

The average amount in student loans that economics majors at Wheaton College Illinois take out is $22,944.

Read More…

#8

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for economics students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest is a private not-for-profit school 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

Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular economics programs. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the small suburb of Dekalb.

While working on their degree, economics majors at NIU accumulate an average of around $25,803 in student debt.

Read full report on Economics at Northern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Economics Schools in Illinois ranking. SIUC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Carbondale.

After completing their degree, economics graduates from SIUC carry an average student debt load of $25,006.

Read full report on Economics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Best Economics Colleges in the Great Lakes Region

Explore all the Most Popular 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 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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