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Best Schools for 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 economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Economics
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for economics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 698 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $92,075 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at University Of Chicago
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #2. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 341 economics degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $84,932. Students borrow a median of $16,227 to complete this degree.
Get the full economics details for Northwestern University
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for economics. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 386 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $58,921 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,228 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Wheaton College Illinois is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 economics degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $62,889 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in economics from Wheaton College Illinois
Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 20 economics degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
Read more about the economics program at Loyola University Chicago
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #6 spot for economics this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. 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 economics program at University Of Illinois At Chicago
Illinois State University came in at #7 for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 40 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at Illinois State University
Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 39 economics students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $53,417 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,433 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Depaul University
Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best economics schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 25 economics degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $45,386 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,879.
More information about a degree in economics from Northern Illinois University
Lake Forest College earned the #10 position for economics this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Lake Forest College awarded about 19 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $53,529. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the economics program at Lake Forest College
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot for economics this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 11 economics degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $54,302 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #12 position for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 economics students who graduated with this degree at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Olivet Nazarene University earn around $54,169 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Olivet Nazarene University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #13 among the best economics schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. About 60% of students finish within six years. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 27 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $37,798 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $25,049 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Western Illinois University placed #14 among the best economics schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 economics students who graduated with this degree at Western Illinois University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Western Illinois University earn around $47,926 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete this degree.
Get the full economics details for Western Illinois University
