Development Economics & International Development is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their development economics & international development programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for development economics & international development students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Development Economics & International Development School
The school you choose for development economics & international development can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Development Economics & International Development Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Development Economics & International Development 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.
Development Economics & International Development Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Development Economics & International Development Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best development economics & international development schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 development economics & international development students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year.
Read more about the development economics & international development program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong development economics & international development program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 17 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $81,892. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from Georgetown University
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for development economics & international development. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 73 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $62,091 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from University Of California Los Angeles
A rank of #4 makes Williams College one of the top schools for development economics & international development. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamstown. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at Williams College in the most recent year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Williams College earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,925.
Get the full development economics & international development details for Williams College
Emory University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best development economics & international development schools. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 13 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $70,446. Emory University graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans.
See the full development economics & international development program report for Emory University
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #6 spot for development economics & international development this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,386 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full development economics & international development program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #7 among the best development economics & international development schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 development economics & international development degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their development economics & international development degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $50,529 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans.
Read more about the development economics & international development program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Brandeis University earned the #8 position for development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. Brandeis University awarded about 35 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $63,244. Brandeis University graduates carry a median of $25,295 in student loans.
More information about a degree in development economics & international development from Brandeis University
University Of Vermont placed #9 among the best development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of Vermont awarded about 18 development economics & international development degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the development economics & international development program make about $38,452 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875.
See the full development economics & international development program report for University Of Vermont
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Development Economics & International Development Related Rankings by Major
Development Economics & International Development is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
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 · 64 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).
