Compare 44 Economics. programs in California. Average earnings: $68,813.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Economics tells a different story. Across 44 programs, earnings range from $71,016 to $127,416—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Stanford's Economics program leads with graduates earning $127,416, well above the $68,813 average. But the real story emerges in the details: Claremont McKenna ($115,832) and UC Berkeley ($106,624) both deliver six-figure outcomes, proving that program strength transcends institutional prestige categories.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Stanford graduates borrow $12,000 and face just a 1.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Thomas Aquinas College leads with a 4.0% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Stanford UniversityPrivate | $127,416 | 90 | $12,000 | Excellent | $38,333 | Excellent |
| #2 | Claremont Mckenna CollegePrivate | $115,832 | 118 | $13,500 | Excellent | $52,129 | Good |
| #3 | $106,624 | 751 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #4 | Santa Clara UniversityPrivate | $102,794 | 94 | $19,162 | Excellent | $56,271 | Manageable |
| #5 | Pomona CollegePrivate | $100,669 | 60 | $11,782 | Excellent | $27,861 | Excellent |
| #6 | $88,311 | 703 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Good | |
| #7 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | $83,794 | 55 | $18,000 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent |
| #8 | $81,879 | 23 | $23,691 | Excellent | $58,000 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $81,475 | 833 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #10 | Sonoma State UniversityPublic | $78,350 | 45 | $16,705 | Excellent | $27,986 | Manageable |
| #11 | $76,499 | 52 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #12 | $76,486 | 183 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Occidental CollegePrivate | $75,699 | 80 | $23,000 | Excellent | $51,450 | Challenging |
| #14 | $75,235 | 76 | $15,371 | Excellent | $19,732 | Good | |
| #15 | Loyola Marymount UniversityPrivate | $74,490 | 86 | $19,500 | Excellent | $58,361 | Challenging |
| #16 | $73,904 | 165 | $16,666 | Excellent | $28,682 | Manageable | |
| #17 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $72,622 | 47 | $23,510 | Excellent | $41,309 | Challenging |
| #18 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $71,933 | 38 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | Challenging |
| #19 | $71,906 | 606 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #20 | $71,016 | 51 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Good | |
| #21 | $68,970 | 403 | $15,500 | Excellent | $24,257 | Manageable | |
| #22 | $67,079 | 127 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #23 | $66,770 | 13 | $16,144 | Excellent | $18,376 | Good | |
| #24 | $66,480 | 8 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,033 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $63,977 | 441 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Manageable |
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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
