by our College Data Analytics TeamEconomics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 937 schools to find the best for economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the best economics schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Our analysis ranked El Camino Community College District the best school in the country for a degree in economics. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 75 economics students who graduated with this degree at El Camino Community College District in the most recent data year. Get the full economics details for El Camino Community College District
College Of San Mateo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Mateo. About 68 economics degrees were awarded at College Of San Mateo in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $12,831. Read more about the economics program at College Of San Mateo
De Anza College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #3. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. About 74 economics degrees were awarded at De Anza College in the most recent year. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from De Anza College
A rank of #4 makes Diablo Valley College one of the top schools for economics. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. There were roughly 90 economics students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Diablo Valley College
A rank of #5 makes Orange Coast College one of the top schools for economics. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 58 economics students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Orange Coast College
American River College landed the #6 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Sacramento. There were roughly 66 economics students who graduated with this degree at American River College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $76,077 in their early career. American River College graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from American River College
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 82 economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,776. Get the full economics details for College Of The Canyons
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 spot for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 13 economics degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Santa Rosa Junior College
Cerritos College landed the #9 spot for economics this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Cerritos College awarded about 72 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $29,495 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,306. Get the full economics details for Cerritos College
Moorpark College came in at #10 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Moorpark College awarded about 177 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $105,599 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Moorpark College
Foothill College landed the #11 spot for economics this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. There were roughly 25 economics students who graduated with this degree at Foothill College in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from Foothill College
Santa Barbara City College placed #12 among the best economics schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 215 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $68,184 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Santa Barbara City College
East Los Angeles College landed the #13 spot for economics this year. East Los Angeles College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Monterey Park. About 58 economics degrees were awarded at East Los Angeles College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from East Los Angeles College generally make around $33,595. Students borrow a median of $8,180 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for East Los Angeles College
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. About 30 economics degrees were awarded at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $30,111 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,794. Read more about the economics program at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
Cuesta College came in at #15 for economics this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. There were roughly 83 economics students who graduated with this degree at Cuesta College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Typical student debt for the program is $18,958. Read more about the economics program at Cuesta College
Sierra College landed the #16 spot for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. About 102 economics degrees were awarded at Sierra College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $29,214 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,733. Read more about the economics program at Sierra College
Los Angeles Valley College came in at #17 for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Valley Glen. About 166 economics degrees were awarded at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Los Angeles Valley College earn around $81,600 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,254 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Los Angeles Valley College
Oxnard College came in at #18 for economics this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Oxnard College awarded about 54 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full economics details for Oxnard College
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for economics this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. There were roughly 129 economics students who graduated with this degree at Saddleback College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $15,890 in their early career. Saddleback College graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Saddleback College
Evergreen Valley College placed #20 among the best economics schools. This large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 66 economics degrees were awarded at Evergreen Valley College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $82,879 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,981 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Evergreen Valley College
San Diego Miramar College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. About 10 economics degrees were awarded at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from San Diego Miramar College earn around $41,038 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,098. See the full economics program report for San Diego Miramar College
Ohlone Community College landed the #22 spot for economics this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fremont. About 32 economics degrees were awarded at Ohlone Community College in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Ohlone Community College earn a median of $22,545 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500. Get the full economics details for Ohlone Community College
Grossmont College placed #23 among the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. There were roughly 182 economics students who graduated with this degree at Grossmont College in the most recent data year. Get the full economics details for Grossmont College
Santa Monica College placed #24 among the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Santa Monica College awarded about 75 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full economics details for Santa Monica College
Mt San Jacinto Community College District ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Located in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public university. Mt San Jacinto Community College District awarded about 67 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,770 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Mt San Jacinto Community College District
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics ranking:
Explore the best economics schools at other degree levels:
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 · 937 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.