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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Economics Schools in Minnesota

13 Colleges in the United States
519 Economics Degrees Awarded
$56,256 Avg Early-Career Salary

Economics 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 21 schools to find the best for economics students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Economics in Minnesota

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall economics education in Minnesota.

Top Schools in Economics

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best school in the country for a degree in economics. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 255 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $56,902 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #2. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. Carleton College awarded about 32 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $66,567 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. See the full economics program report for Carleton College

3
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Macalester College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Macalester College awarded about 46 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $59,752. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Macalester College

4
St Olaf College crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 economics students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $56,238 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for St Olaf College

5

University Of St Thomas Minnesota is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #5. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 44 economics degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Economics graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $60,323 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,600 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota

6

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Set in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 economics degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $52,439 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,474 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Gustavus Adolphus College

7

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #7 for economics this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 15 economics students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $21,474 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Minnesota State University Mankato

8

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #8 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $50,873 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

9
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University placed #9 among the best economics schools. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. Saint Johns University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 economics students who graduated with this degree at Saint Johns University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saint Johns University generally make around $54,752. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full economics details for Saint Johns University

10

Saint Cloud State University placed #10 among the best economics schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 23 economics degrees were awarded at Saint Cloud State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Saint Cloud State University earn around $51,625 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,076. See the full economics program report for Saint Cloud State University

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Notes and References

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 · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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