Economics

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$55,645

Median Earnings

$79,468

Schools Offering

390

ROI Grade

B+

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $69,435Median: $79,46875th: $92,453

Best Schools for Economics by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Williams College MA · Private	96	$166,678	$17,716	$12,925	A
2	Duke University NC · Private	96	$161,149	$29,612	$13,437	A
3	Princeton University NJ · Private	94	$160,763	$6,128	$11,250	A
4	University of Chicago IL · Private	98	$159,578	$14,860	$13,197	A
5	Harvard University MA · Private	96	$155,592	$19,066	$6,617	A
6	Dartmouth College NH · Private	95	$152,929	$29,519	$18,400	A
7	Claremont McKenna College CA · Private	92	$146,524	$28,849	$12,000	A
8	Carnegie Mellon University PA · Private	97	$144,886	$31,944	$22,020	B+
9	Yale University CT · Private	97	$142,936	$23,777	$13,250	A
10	Amherst College MA · Private	90	$141,730	$23,367	$16,662	A
11	Vanderbilt University TN · Private	97	$140,337	$15,846	$12,424	A
12	Cornell University NY · Private	96	$137,935	$28,690	$15,500	A
13	Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private	96	$137,710	$21,590	$25,000	B+
14	University of California-Berkeley CA · Public	97	$135,050	$13,481	$13,000	A
15	Hamilton College NY · Private	89	$130,633	$28,985	$18,250	B+
16	University of Pennsylvania PA · Private	97	$129,985	$28,699	$14,000	A
17	Rice University TX · Private	98	$129,575	$13,370	$11,289	A
18	Colgate University NY · Private	92	$128,887	$28,786	$17,500	A
19	Johns Hopkins University MD · Private	96	$128,882	$18,809	$12,494	A
20	Swarthmore College PA · Private	92	$128,051	$23,149	$19,500	B+
21	Northwestern University IL · Private	94	$126,006	$29,167	$16,227	A
22	Brown University RI · Private	96	$124,508	$25,184	$13,000	A
23	Tufts University MA · Private	86	$123,809	$39,998	$17,850	A
24	Middlebury College VT · Private	86	$123,477	$31,483	$19,500	A
25	Colorado College CO · Private	70	$122,998	$33,375	$18,250	B+
26	University of Notre Dame IN · Private	97	$122,637	$26,780	$19,965	B+
27	Trinity College CT · Private	87	$122,068	$34,832	$21,500	B+
28	Bowdoin College ME · Private	92	$121,983	$14,398	$19,500	B+
29	Wellesley College MA · Private	94	$121,787	$25,496	$11,190	A
30	Boston College MA · Private	92	$121,337	$41,704	$18,000	B+
31	Santa Clara University CA · Private	90	$121,307	$50,062	$19,500	B+
32	Fairfield University CT · Private	79	$120,303	$48,095	$26,500	B
33	Georgetown University DC · Private	93	$118,999	$40,815	$16,500	A
34	Marist University NY · Private	74	$118,557	$41,544	$26,000	C+
35	College of the Holy Cross MA · Private	85	$118,131	$38,782	$27,000	B
36	New York University NY · Private	84	$116,510	$37,050	$21,250	B+
37	Washington and Lee University VA · Private	91	$115,837	$23,781	$23,399	B+
38	Case Western Reserve University OH · Private	85	$114,601	$41,190	$25,949	C+
39	Lafayette College PA · Private	92	$112,864	$34,433	$19,500	B+
40	Stanford University CA · Private	99	$112,700	$13,807	$12,500	A
41	Elon University NC · Private	75	$112,303	$41,555	$19,500	B+
42	Haverford College PA · Private	87	$112,050	$25,314	N/A	-
43	Barnard College NY · Private	90	$111,909	$28,800	$16,750	A
44	Hobart William Smith Colleges NY · Private	70	$111,833	$31,563	$27,000	B
45	Emory University GA · Private	92	$111,631	$22,585	$21,000	B+
46	Bates College ME · Private	82	$110,880	$29,351	$13,000	A
47	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$110,773	$21,565	$19,000	B+
48	Grinnell College IA · Private	83	$110,724	$17,648	$16,950	B
49	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$110,552	$13,138	$19,690	B+
50	University of Rochester NY · Private	85	$109,324	$29,278	$19,946	B+

Strong Value

Is Economics Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

Economics delivers above-average financial returns. Average earnings of $55,645 four years out put graduates in a strong position to handle student debt and build wealth. The ROI is solid, though school choice and specialization within the field matter.

390 schools offer this major, giving you reasonable options. Compare net prices and graduate earnings at your specific target schools - the range between the best and worst ROI within this field is substantial.

The top school for this major by earnings is Haverford College, where graduates earn $112,050 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Economics All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Related Majors

Finance Mathematics Political Science

Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.