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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Economics Schools in Illinois

12 Colleges in the United States
387 General Economics Degrees Awarded
$53,642 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general economics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Economics in Illinois

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. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. 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 Illinois At Urbana Champaign 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 city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 207 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $58,921 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,228. See the full general economics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $58,568 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. More information about a degree in general economics from Loyola University Chicago

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the top schools for general economics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 51 general economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago 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. Typical student debt for the program is $19,002. Read more about the general economics program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #5. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. 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. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general economics program report for Illinois State University

6
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #6 spot for general economics this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 19 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. General Economics graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $53,417 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $22,433 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from Depaul University

7

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $45,386 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,879 in student loans. Read more about the general economics program at Northern Illinois University

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #8 position for general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,917. Read more about the general economics program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

9

Olivet Nazarene University placed #9 among the best general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 10 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $54,169 in their early career. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full general economics program report for Olivet Nazarene University

10

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates 60% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 15 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $37,798 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $25,049 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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