Best Economics colleges in the U.S. 2026
We’ve all heard the phrase “money makes the world go round.” If you want to understand why and how that is, get your degree in economics. Often, economics is considered a social science, academically, while still being highly associated with the study of business. It’s heavily reliant on numbers and statistical data, but an education in economics also teaches analytical skills in regards to looking at the narratives that are behind the real-world economy.
At some schools, students will choose to study either microeconomics or macroeconomics, and in other programs these studies can be combined. Economics is used in many professional careers such as banking, politics, and law. With a degree in economics, students will gain skills in both quantitative and qualitative research and become familiar with economic theories. Depending on the capacity of the program, students may be able to take more specialized classes in areas such as labor or healthcare economics.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the USBest Economics colleges in the U.S. for 2026
University of Chicago offers 1 Economics, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 13 Economics, General students graduated with students earning 13 Certificates.
Harvard University offers 3 Economics, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city.
Duke University offers 1 Economics, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 23 Economics, General students graduated with students earning 23 Bachelor's degrees.
Johns Hopkins University offers 5 Economics, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 1 Economics, General students graduated with students earning 1 Certificate.
Rice University offers 3 Economics, General degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 53 Economics, General students graduated with students earning 39 Bachelor's degrees, 10 Doctoral degrees, and 4 Master's degrees.
Stanford University offers 3 Economics, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb.
University of Pennsylvania offers 4 Economics, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2024, 2 Economics, General students graduated with students earning 1 Master's degree, and 1 Doctoral degree.
Northwestern University offers 4 Economics, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2024, 3 Economics, General students graduated with students earning 3 Bachelor's degrees.
Cornell University offers 3 Economics, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city.
Vanderbilt University offers 3 Economics, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city.
Find local colleges with Economics majors in the U.S.
List of all Economics colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Chicago Chicago, IL | 11 : 1 | 18,566 | |
|
Harvard University Cambridge, MA | 17 : 1 | 30,259 | |
|
Brown University Providence, RI | 12 : 1 | 11,956 | |
|
Duke University Durham, NC | 11 : 1 | 17,499 | |
|
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | 20 : 1 | 30,210 | |