General Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 168 schools to find the best for general economics students.
Leading the list is Santa Clara University, our #1 school for general economics. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 71 general economics degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Santa Clara University earn around $76,606 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 general economics students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $67,501 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at El Camino Community College District, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. El Camino Community College District awarded about 75 general economics degrees in the most recent data year.
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College Of San Mateo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. College Of San Mateo awarded about 68 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831.
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A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the top schools for general economics. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 103 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $50,518 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,017.
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Pepperdine University placed #6 among the best general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pepperdine University awarded about 46 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Pepperdine University generally make around $54,267. Pepperdine University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
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De Anza College came in at #7 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cupertino. About 74 general economics degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree.
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California State University Fullerton came in at #8 for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 47 general economics degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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Diablo Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Diablo Valley College awarded about 90 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $27,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Irvine ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 325 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $44,087. Typical student debt for the program is $15,499.
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San Jose State University placed #11 among the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 35 general economics students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
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Orange Coast College earned the #12 position for general economics this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. About 58 general economics degrees were awarded at Orange Coast College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978.
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Pitzer College earned the #13 position for general economics this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Pitzer College graduates 83% of students within six years. About 30 general economics degrees were awarded at Pitzer College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Pitzer College generally make around $59,767. Pitzer College graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans.
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Whitworth University landed the #14 spot for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. Whitworth University awarded about 19 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Whitworth University earn around $63,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,051.
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San Diego State University earned the #15 position for general economics this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 213 general economics students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from San Diego State University earn around $44,125 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete this degree.
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California State University Sacramento placed #16 among the best general economics schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 143 general economics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $49,312 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree.
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San Francisco State University came in at #17 for general economics this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 54 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from San Francisco State University earn around $46,310 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
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American River College came in at #18 for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 66 general economics degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $76,077 in their early career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans.
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College Of The Canyons placed #19 among the best general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. There were roughly 82 general economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree.
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California State University Channel Islands ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 general economics students who graduated with this degree at California State University Channel Islands in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $57,440 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,997.
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California State University Long Beach landed the #21 spot for general economics this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 58 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $38,475 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,375.
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Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #22 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 13 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $80,047 in their early career. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans.
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California State University East Bay landed the #23 spot for general economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 12 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $46,408 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete this degree.
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Cerritos College landed the #24 spot for general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Cerritos College awarded about 72 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $29,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306.
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California State University Northridge came in at #25 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 78 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $35,628 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 General Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general economics education:
This list is compiled 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 · 168 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).
