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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Region

42 Colleges in the United States
2,259 General Economics Degrees Awarded
$53,451 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 132 schools to find the best for general economics students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Economics in the Great Lakes Region

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 general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Economics

1

University Of Chicago tops our 2026 ranking of the best general economics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $92,075 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $13,197 in student loans. Get the full general economics details for University Of Chicago

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 677 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $68,416. Typical student debt for the program is $19,690. Get the full general economics details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 468 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in general economics from University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 207 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,228. See the full general economics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general economics, ranking #5. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Kenyon College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Kenyon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $58,082. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,718 in student loans. Get the full general economics details for Kenyon College

6

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #6 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 61 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $59,142. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from Indiana University Bloomington

7
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University came in at #7 for general economics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 188 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $54,013 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full general economics program report for Michigan State University

8

Miami University Oxford earned the #8 position for general economics this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Miami University Oxford graduates 80% of students within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 61 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $57,379. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general economics details for Miami University Oxford

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #9 spot for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. About 43 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $68,850 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,264. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

Loyola University Chicago came in at #10 for general economics this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 20 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. Get the full general economics details for Loyola University Chicago

11
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Butler University awarded about 19 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at Butler University

12

Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. Ball State University awarded about 17 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,054. Get the full general economics details for Ball State University

13

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #13 position for general economics this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Evansville. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 10 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Southern Indiana

14

Case Western Reserve University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Case Western Reserve University awarded about 47 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $53,148 in the first couple years of their career. Case Western Reserve University graduates carry a median of $25,949 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from Case Western Reserve University

15

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #15 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 51 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,767 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $19,002 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

16

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $51,344. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full general economics program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

17

Illinois State University placed #17 among the best general economics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 23 general economics degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,015. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from Illinois State University

18
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #18 among the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 19 general economics degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $53,417. Typical student debt for the program is $22,433. More information about a degree in general economics from Depaul University

19

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #19 for general economics this year. This large public university is located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $53,595 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

20
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #20 for general economics this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $46,400 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,718 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at Marquette University

21

Northern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 general economics degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $45,386 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,879. See the full general economics program report for Northern Illinois University

22

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 11 general economics degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $54,302 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

23

Western Michigan University placed #23 among the best general economics schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Western Michigan University awarded about 11 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Get the full general economics details for Western Michigan University

24

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 16 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn around $46,404 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,698. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

25

Wayne State University came in at #25 for general economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 general economics degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $50,648 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,681 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from Wayne State University

Rest of the Top 36 General Economics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general economics education:

26
27
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI
28
29
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN
30
31
32
33
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI
34
35
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI
36

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 132 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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