Compare 92 Business/Managerial Economics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $74,598. Top programs: $162,355+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Business/Managerial Economics tells a different story. Across 92 programs, earnings range from $31K to $162K—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The spread is too wide to be explained by prestige alone, which means where you study this field matters far more than how famous the school is.
Topping the list, Washington University in St. Louis delivers Business/Managerial Economics graduates earning $162K—more than double the field average of $75K. Villanova (#2, $124K) and Brigham Young University (#3, $117K) round out the podium, with BYU's accessibility—68% admission rate—proving that strong outcomes don't require a selective admissions gauntlet.
Brigham Young University makes the strongest case for debt-conscious decision-making: graduates borrow just $11,069 and carry a 1.6% student payment burden, earning an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. Including parent loans, the family burden rises only to 3.2%—still 'Excellent.' At $117K in earnings with minimal debt drag, BYU demonstrates that program value and affordability can coexist.
Highest program earnings: $162,355
Strong outcomes ($117,015) with 68% acceptance
1.6% payment burden | Excellent
3.2% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $162,355 | 65 | $17,500 | Excellent | $24,585 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $123,614 | 23 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Good |
| #3 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $117,015 | 45 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Excellent |
| #4 | University Of MiamiPrivate | $116,367 | 52 | $17,500 | Excellent | $37,267 | Good |
| #5 | Union CollegePrivate | $114,064 | 11 | $25,337 | Excellent | $57,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $113,630 | 56 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Good |
| #7 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $108,886 | 37 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Good |
| #8 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $102,249 | 17 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Good |
| #9 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $101,674 | 55 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Good |
| #10 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $97,743 | 48 | $21,500 | Excellent | $28,086 | Good |
| #11 | $96,843 | 108 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Good | |
| #12 | $94,547 | 72 | $21,500 | Excellent | $31,393 | Good | |
| #13 | Depaul UniversityPrivate | $93,563 | 45 | $23,168 | Excellent | $41,563 | Manageable |
| #14 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $93,379 | 13 | $22,869 | Excellent | $25,950 | Good |
| #15 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $92,079 | 28 | $22,750 | Excellent | $40,003 | Manageable |
| #16 | Salisbury UniversityPublic | $91,642 | 5 | $21,000 | Excellent | $33,815 | Good |
| #17 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $90,045 | 52 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Good |
| #18 | Hampden-Sydney CollegePrivate | $87,835 | 50 | $26,000 | Excellent | $61,239 | Challenging |
| #19 | $86,894 | 17 | $22,250 | Excellent | $15,753 | Good | |
| #20 | $86,114 | 6 | $22,750 | Excellent | $48,666 | Manageable | |
| #21 | Chapman UniversityPrivate | $84,978 | 46 | $20,500 | Excellent | $44,954 | Manageable |
| #22 | Westmont CollegePrivate | $84,815 | 39 | $23,250 | Excellent | $61,820 | Challenging |
| #23 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | $84,808 | 57 | $23,000 | Excellent | $50,786 | Manageable |
| #24 | Georgia State UniversityPublic | $84,681 | 54 | $20,903 | Excellent | $14,837 | Good |
| #25 | University Of GeorgiaPublic | $84,675 | 182 | $18,500 | Excellent | $20,855 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
