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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Economics Schools in Michigan

10 Colleges in the United States
1,159 Economics Degrees Awarded
$51,225 Avg Early-Career Salary

Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their economics programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for economics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Economics in Michigan

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

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2026 ranking of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 758 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 267 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,013. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Michigan State University

3

Western Michigan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 27 economics students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $48,966 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Western Michigan University

4

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Wayne State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Wayne State University graduates 58% of students within six years. Wayne State University awarded about 32 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $50,648 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,681. More information about a degree in economics from Wayne State University

5
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

A rank of #5 makes Oakland University one of the top schools for economics. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 15 economics degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Oakland University

6

Grand Valley State University came in at #6 for economics this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 economics students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $53,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Grand Valley State University

7
Kalamazoo College crest
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College landed the #7 spot for economics this year. Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kalamazoo. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 14 economics degrees were awarded at Kalamazoo College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Kalamazoo College generally make around $42,508. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full economics details for Kalamazoo College

8

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #8 spot for economics this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Dearborn. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $49,665. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates carry a median of $28,381 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Michigan Dearborn

9
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College earned the #9 position for economics this year. Located in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. Albion College awarded about 11 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Albion College earn a median of $48,756 early in their careers. Albion College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Albion College

10

Northern Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 15 economics students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Northern Michigan University earn around $40,508 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Northern Michigan University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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