General Economics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general economics programs.
College Factual analyzed 813 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general economics schools.
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Choosing a Great General Economics School
The school you choose for general economics can shape your career. That is why we built our Best General Economics Schools rankings. For our Best Overall General 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 General Economics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
University Of Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 13 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from University Of Chicago earn around $92,075 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,197.
Get the full general economics details for University Of Chicago
A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top schools for general economics. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. About 97% of students finish within six years. Duke University awarded about 19 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $98,649 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from Duke University
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for general economics. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 250 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $65,344 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,843.
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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 677 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $68,416 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690.
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A rank of #5 makes Santa Clara University one of the top schools for general economics. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 71 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Santa Clara University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $76,606. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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Swarthmore College earned the #6 position for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Swarthmore College awarded about 57 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $76,944. Swarthmore College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
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College Of William And Mary landed the #7 spot for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 68 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $65,603 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,678.
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Wake Forest University came in at #8 for general economics this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 112 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $56,416 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,927 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from Wake Forest University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for general economics this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 468 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750.
See the full general economics program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Rice University came in at #10 for general economics this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 38 general economics degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Rice University earn around $78,814 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete this degree.
See the full general economics program report for Rice University
James Madison University earned the #11 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 77 general economics degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $62,286 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,575.
See the full general economics program report for James Madison University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #12 among the best general economics schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 57 general economics degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $67,501 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general economics from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 207 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,228 in student loans.
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New York University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 general economics degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from New York University generally make around $68,495. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree.
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Brigham Young University Provo earned the #15 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 143 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $63,332 in their early career. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general economics from Brigham Young University Provo
Southern Methodist University placed #16 among the best general economics schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Methodist University awarded about 172 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $71,630 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from Southern Methodist University
Texas A And M University College Station placed #17 among the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 367 general economics degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,294 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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Vassar College came in at #18 for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 43 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $79,845 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Read more about the general economics program at Vassar College
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #19 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 102 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $56,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general economics from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Kenyon College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 37 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $58,082 in their early career. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,718 in student loans.
Read more about the general economics program at Kenyon College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 91 general economics degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $56,261 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
See the full general economics program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Colorado College placed #22 among the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Colorado College awarded about 21 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Colorado College earn around $58,082 in the first couple years of their career. Colorado College graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans.
Read more about the general economics program at Colorado College
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #23 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $83,135. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the general economics program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Florida came in at #24 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 280 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,349. Typical student debt for the program is $15,851.
Read more about the general economics program at University Of Florida
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #25 position for general economics this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 116 general economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Holy Cross in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from College Of The Holy Cross earn around $69,288 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full general economics program report for College Of The Holy Cross
Rest of the Top 50 General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics ranking:
General Economics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 813 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).
