Applied Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for applied economics students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Applied Economics School
Where you study applied economics matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Applied Economics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Applied Economics School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Applied Economics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Best Schools for Applied Economics in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the applied economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Georgetown University tops our 2026 ranking of the best applied economics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $81,892. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Georgetown University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in applied economics, ranking #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 64 applied economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied economics degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $68,416 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best applied economics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 22 applied economics degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $56,902 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in applied economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 19 applied economics degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Applied Economics graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $56,261 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
See the full applied economics program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Florida State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best applied economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $60,948 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,625.
Get the full applied economics details for Florida State University
Suny At Binghamton landed the #6 spot for applied economics this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 95 applied economics degrees were awarded at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,502. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $19,919 in student loans.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Suny At Binghamton
Farmingdale State College earned the #7 position for applied economics this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Farmingdale State College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Farmingdale State College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their applied economics degree from Farmingdale State College earn around $50,374 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,528.
See the full applied economics program report for Farmingdale State College
University Of Houston landed the #8 spot for applied economics this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,820. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
Get the full applied economics details for University Of Houston
Ursinus College came in at #9 for applied economics this year. Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegeville. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Ursinus College awarded about 31 applied economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the applied economics program make about $52,496 in their early career. Ursinus College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full applied economics program report for Ursinus College
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 50 schools evaluated.
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 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).
