International Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their international economics programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for international economics students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great International Economics School
Where you study international economics matters for your future. That is why we built our Best International Economics Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best International Economics Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for international economics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 international economics degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the international economics program make about $92,075 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete this degree.
See the full international economics program report for University Of Chicago
A rank of #2 makes Colorado College one of the top schools for international economics. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Colorado Springs. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 16 international economics students who graduated with this degree at Colorado College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international economics program make about $58,082 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,250.
Read more about the international economics program at Colorado College
Students looking for a strong international economics program will find one at Texas Christian University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 11 international economics degrees in the most recent data year. International Economics graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $54,462 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the international economics program at Texas Christian University
George Washington University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best international economics schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 10 international economics students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $75,236. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Read more about the international economics program at George Washington University
Students looking for a strong international economics program will find one at University Of Denver, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of Denver awarded about 14 international economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their international economics degree from University Of Denver earn around $60,796 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in international economics from University Of Denver
Texas Tech University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best international economics schools. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 11 international economics degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Students who receive their international economics degree from Texas Tech University earn around $44,292 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete this degree.
Get the full international economics details for Texas Tech University
Fort Hays State University earned the #7 position for international economics this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 143 international economics students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the international economics program make about $50,690 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete this degree.
See the full international economics program report for Fort Hays State University
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 · 40 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).
