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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Economics Schools in North Carolina

7 Colleges in the United States
522 General Economics Degrees Awarded
$52,993 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Economics is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 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 North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general economics education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in General Economics

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in general economics. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 19 general economics degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $98,649. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete this degree. See the full general economics program report for Duke University

2

Students looking for a strong general economics program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 250 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. Students borrow a median of $15,843 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

A rank of #3 makes Wake Forest University one of the top schools for general economics. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wake Forest University awarded about 112 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $56,416. Typical student debt for the program is $20,927. Read more about the general economics program at Wake Forest University

4

Elon University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general economics, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 21 general economics degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $69,298 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full general economics program report for Elon University

5

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general economics, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 20 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. General Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete this degree. Read more about the general economics program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

6

East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for general economics this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 28 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $46,425 in their early career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in general economics from East Carolina University

7

University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #7 position for general economics this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Asheville. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Asheville awarded about 14 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $28,301. Students borrow a median of $18,791 to complete this degree. See the full general economics program report for University Of North Carolina At Asheville

8

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #8 position for general economics this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates 56% of students within six years. About 20 general economics degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Typical student debt for the program is $24,977. See the full general economics program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

9

North Carolina A And T State University earned the #9 position for general economics this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 19 general economics degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from North Carolina A And T State University earn around $45,446 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina A And T State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full general economics details for North Carolina A And T State University

10

Winston Salem State University came in at #10 for general economics this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Winston Salem State University awarded about 19 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $25,653 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,653. More information about a degree in general economics from Winston Salem State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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