by our College Data Analytics TeamEconomics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools to find the best for economics students.
What’s on this page:
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.
Leading the list is Yale University, our #1 school for economics. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Yale University awarded about 248 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Yale University earn around $82,617 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250. Get the full economics details for Yale University
Wesleyan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wesleyan University awarded about 90 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. Read more about the economics program at Wesleyan University
Trinity College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 84 economics degrees were awarded at Trinity College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $71,191 in their early career. Trinity College graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Trinity College
A rank of #4 makes University Of Connecticut one of the top schools for economics. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 450 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $52,227 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $22,907 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at University Of Connecticut
Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Fairfield University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 economics degrees were awarded at Fairfield University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $74,023 in their early career. Fairfield University graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Fairfield University
Connecticut College placed #6 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Connecticut College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 economics students who graduated with this degree at Connecticut College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Connecticut College earn around $62,732 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,206. See the full economics program report for Connecticut College
Sacred Heart University earned the #7 position for economics this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sacred Heart University awarded about 27 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full economics program report for Sacred Heart University
Quinnipiac University placed #8 among the best economics schools. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 17 economics degrees were awarded at Quinnipiac University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $48,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Quinnipiac University
University Of Hartford earned the #9 position for economics this year. Set in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Hartford graduates 58% of students within six years. University Of Hartford awarded about 10 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $51,123 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,648. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Hartford
Central Connecticut State University earned the #10 position for economics this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Central Connecticut State University awarded about 20 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Central Connecticut State University earn around $41,910 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,237 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Central Connecticut State University
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.