### SUMMARY

 Going to school for Economics is not only a valuable choice, but generally a necessary first step for pupils planning to begin a career as a government finance analyst, an economist, or an assets trader. Interestingly, economics is a very popular degree choice, coming in at the 15th most popular area of study. In the last year, there were 40,355 economics degrees conferred. In-state tuition for economics at private schools is, on average, 4.4 times more pricey than their public fellows.

 There are 788 schools that offer economics. 788 colleges is on par with other majors offered in the United States. If you're hoping to surround yourself with other economics students, consider looking at universities in California which have the most undergrads admitted to economics annually. Zooming out, the top region to study economics is in the Mid East region with [University of Maryland-College Park](/colleges/university-of-maryland-college-park), [New York University](/colleges/new-york-university), and [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus) best representing the region. Interestingly, our pick of the best conference to study economics is the Big Ten Conference with [University of Maryland-College Park](/colleges/university-of-maryland-college-park), [Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus](/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-main-campus), and [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison) representing the conference. Based on our extensive list on the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our selection for the best school for economics is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university).

 The objectively best school does not have to be the best school for you. There are lots of factors to weigh when choosing school. Features such as campus amenities, transportation services, and food might definitely impact one's choice on which school to attend. Here at authority.org, we weighed the pros and cons for you. If, as an example, you want to know which economics university has the top campus, the answer is [Harvard University](/colleges/harvard-university). If you are primarily interested in which university has the best campus, then we have a whole list [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through government databases, student reviews, professor reviews, and more to compare every U.S. major in an unbiased and informative way. Here you can find our comprehensive list for the universities with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbspand from that list, our pick of the college with the best student life for economics is [Georgetown University](/colleges/georgetown-university). Are you curious why? Continue scrolling to discover more about our top recommendations. Some of our picks just might surprise you.

 If cost is a major influence in your decisions, you might be cautious about [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york). [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york)&nbspis the most expensive college for economics, at least regarding out of state enrollment. We do have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspschools that might put the cost at [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york)&nbspinto perspective. You could also be interested to know that economics is the 15th most expensive major in America, with an average cost of $54,300. On a broader scale, the most costly state for economics in the country is Vermont with costs at the primary three universities of $55,790 at Middlebury College, totalling $45,050 at Saint Michael's College, and expenses of $45,050 at University of Vermont. To zoom out even further, the most costly region of the U.S. for economics is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [Amherst College](/colleges/amherst-college) with a cost of $57,640, [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with a cost of $57,324, and [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university) with a cost of $57,112.

 Our cheapest region for economics is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) with a cost of $4,208, [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) with a cost of $5,790, and [Weber State University](/colleges/weber-state-university) with a cost of $14,973. On the bright side, the most affordable school for economics is [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison). Our full list of the most affordable colleges can be explored [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state learners can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $10,400 for a degree in economics. That price inflates substantially to an average of $24,200 for an out-of-state public-school student. On that note, our pick for the university with the best value for economics: [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). Here you will find our comprehensive list on the colleges we see as being the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. With that said, this idea is predicated on the assumption that you are an out-of-state student. A discussion of value changes when in-state tuition costs are considered, as such, we are using out-of-state tuition as the baseline.

 Earnings for economics majors vary a lot, but within two-years of graduation students will often earn around $55,000. While there can be a lot of variation in earnings potential; highest paid earners can make up to $123,400. Even straight out of college, the lowest earning positions within the economics space make $24,000, which could be worse. The top earning graduates from economics come from [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university)&nbspand if you want to find the universities with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), we have that too.

 The prevailing diversity of economics ranks very high, being within the 95th percentile of all programs. The university with the most composite diversity for economics is [New York University](/colleges/new-york-university)&nbspand here you can find our general list for the colleges with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of Economics is only within the 19th percentile of all majors. Racial diversity is actually greater, in the 91st percentile. White collegians make up the largest share, 41%, of students studying economics. Additionally, 64% of students pursuing an economics major are men.

 The median rating for economics professors is 3.8 stars, a score that is 5% worse than the average score across all majors; this is a subpar score. If you are interested in the most popular economics instructor in the country, look no further than Samuel Sarri from [College of Southern Nevada](/colleges/college-of-southern-nevada). It might be shocking, but the best ranked instructors of economics according to students are found at [Palomar College](/colleges/palomar-college). As we consider data other than simply rankings it becomes clear that the university with the overall best professors for economics is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). You can find more detail on our evolving ranking methodology for the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with some of the finest professors in the U.S.

 Finally, the most difficult university to get into for economics is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). While we do not necessarily see the value in it, we have an extensive page of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). But, here at Authority we do hope you believe that considering the higher education world from examples mainly informed by superlatives might create issues. We at Authority hope you look at some of our more nuanced pages on different universities and read a few of Authority's informative background 'blog posts' on essential things to look out for as you continue your university search.



 ### POPULARITY

 Economics is the 15th most popular degree in America, with 40,355 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #16 [Mechanical Engineering](/rankings/best-colleges-for-mechanical-engineering), and narrowly lost to #14 [Political Science and Government](/rankings/best-colleges-for-political-science-and-government).

 The degree is offered at a total of 788 colleges across the nation, and is the 25th most widely offered degree. Given that economics is offered at 92% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America, you can be sure this is a critical degree and the skillsets acquired are likely to last for a long time.

 It is also worth noting that one out of two colleges offering economics are public making it a pretty accessible field.

 The mid east produces the most economics graduates, largely led by [University of Maryland-College Park](/colleges/university-of-maryland-college-park), while it’s the Big Ten Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) and [University of California-Los Angeles](/colleges/university-of-california-los-angeles).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more economics graduates than [Cochise County Community College District](/colleges/cochise-county-community-college-district), which graduated 719 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study economics). More students studied economics as a percentage of total students at [Claremont McKenna College](/colleges/claremont-mckenna-college) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Economics is the 15th most expensive major in the nation, with a median cost of $54,253 among the top 50 programs (just ahead of #16, [English Language and Literature](rankings/best-colleges-for-english-language-and-literature), with a median cost of $54,150).

 New England has the most expensive colleges with top 50 economics programs led by [Amherst College](/colleges/amherst-college) with an annual cost of $57,640. The most expensive state for economics is Vermont led by [Middlebury College](/colleges/middlebury-college) and [Saint Michael's College](/colleges/saint-michael-s-college).

 Public schools with good programs typically charge 77.06% less than private schools for in-state students. However, when looking at out-of-state tuition, the median top 50 Public school charges 46.76% less than your average private school. So, if you're applying to a state school, make sure you're eligible for in-state tuition as soon as possible.

 The most expensive top 25 college for economics is [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york), which is the 3rd most expensive college in the nation. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [CUNY Queens College](/colleges/cuny-queens-college). It costs just $14,880 per year but is its economics program is ranked #76. If you’re looking for the least expensive option in the top 25, [University of Wisconsin-Madison](/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-madison)  might be a good fit for you, ranked #14 with an in-state cost of just $9,273. Another more affordable option would be #7, [University of California-Berkeley](/colleges/university-of-california-berkeley) in Alameda County, CA with a cost of $11,442 for in-state students and $41,196 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 Going to college is a large investment for most students. It's important to ensure you justify that cash outlay. Therefore, we hope the following career and income data help you make an informed decision when selecting your focus.

 The average Economics major makes a first year salary of $52,310 per year (top 18%). With experience in their vocations, they generally make somewhere between $24,040 and $123,408, but average more or less $54,954. To put it in context, that's 42% over the national average.

 The most popular work position for an Economics graduate is Analyst, which predominantly make roughly $54,000; next are Account Executive and Consultant, which predominantly make close to $36,000 and $56,000 respectively.

 New England has the most well paid Economics graduates. The highest earning state for Economics graduates is ME. The most well paid conference for Economics graduates is Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Economics: Median Professor Rating: 3.8 / 5, which is below average.

 Instructors constantly play a crucial role in your college experience, regardless of your focus. A great teacher may provide inspiration and even make a difficult subject seem easy. Contrarily, an ineffective professor can turn you off of a subject or even worse... fail you!

 Economics professors have a median student rating of 3.8 / 5, putting these professors in the lower 16 percent in the United States based on student satisfaction. For context that's 5% shy of the national median professor rating for all subjects. Economics professors slightly surpassed those from ["Computer Science"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-computer-science), whereas ["Music Management"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-music-management)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Economics.

 Now for some statistics about Economics professors. Colleges located in large citys tend to have the best Economics professors. The Pacific-12 Conference has the highest rated Economics professors. The Mid East region has the highest rated Economics professors. Public schools tend to have higher rated Economics professors than private schools. Finally, Nevada has the highest rated Economics professors in the United States.

 Samuel Sarri, instructor at [College of Southern Nevada](/colleges/college-of-southern-nevada)&nbspin Las Vegas, NV is the most popular Economics professor in the United States. Harrison Fell, instructor at [Colorado School of Mines](/colleges/colorado-school-of-mines)&nbspin Golden, CO is the highest rated Economics professor in the United States, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Learn which universities have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often is one of the more constructive periods of one's life; it is an opportunity for personal growth and development. Scholars attempt to capture who they are as people and forge many of the integral skills to be a thriving member of society. But growth is deeper than what one learns in a classroom - the campus dialogue, the nugget of wisdom gained from an old instructor, the exposure to a different frame of reference. Therefore, attending a diverse college vastly enhances what one gains from the time at university.

 Economics is a more popular major for students of color than white students. 41% of America's Economics majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(33%), asian students (15%), and latino students (8%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [Carnegie Mellon University](/colleges/carnegie-mellon-university)&nbspin Pittsburgh, PA.

 Additionally, Economics significatly skews male, with 64% of students majoring in Economics identifying as men. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is [Carnegie Mellon University](/colleges/carnegie-mellon-university) in Pittsburgh, PA.

 Another critical type of diversity is economic diversity. Sadly, Economics is less fiscally diverse than 81% of focuses in the US. 33% of its majors come from households who take home more than $110,000 a year, 15% are from homes making between $48,000 and $75,000 a year, and 23% grew up in families with a sub $30,000 annual income. [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) has the most economically diverse students in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall NY is the most diverse state for Economics. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Conference USA is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 15%
* Black: 3%
* Latino: 8%
* White: 41%
* Other: 33%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 64%
* Female: 36%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 23%
* 30k - 48k: 14%
* 48k - 75k: 15%
* 75k - 110k: 14%
* Over 110k: 33%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 58%
* Out of State: 32%
* International: 10%


2023 Economics Salary

There are about 110,055 students enrolled in Economics in the USA.

SALARY