Compare 43 Economics. programs in New York. Average earnings: $68,381.
The highest-earning Economics program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $49K earnings gap across 43 programs in New York, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Columbia University's Economics program leads with graduates earning $117,355, while the state average sits at $68,381. Cornell follows at $107,248, and Colgate rounds out the top three at $103,456—demonstrating how specific programs can outperform regardless of overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.3% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, Columbia leads with an 8.9% family burden despite higher parent loans, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $117,355
Strong outcomes ($84,209) with 77% acceptance
2.3% payment burden | Excellent
8.9% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $117,355 | 338 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #2 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $107,248 | 169 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #3 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $103,456 | 133 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | Manageable |
| #4 | Barnard CollegePrivate | $103,309 | 80 | $18,000 | Excellent | $65,000 | Manageable |
| #5 | Hamilton CollegePrivate | $94,218 | 102 | $17,000 | Excellent | $45,578 | Manageable |
| #6 | New York UniversityPrivate | $87,957 | 503 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Challenging |
| #7 | University Of RochesterPrivate | $86,785 | 115 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,000 | Good |
| #8 | Union CollegePrivate | $85,922 | 78 | $25,337 | Excellent | $57,000 | Challenging |
| #9 | Pace UniversityPrivate | $84,209 | 73 | $23,250 | Excellent | $46,275 | Manageable |
| #10 | Marist CollegePrivate | $84,203 | 25 | $25,000 | Excellent | $51,958 | Challenging |
| #11 | Vassar CollegePrivate | $81,561 | 49 | $18,625 | Excellent | $44,501 | Manageable |
| #12 | Fordham UniversityPrivate | $77,636 | 146 | $24,300 | Excellent | $37,095 | Manageable |
| #13 | $76,563 | 72 | $27,000 | Excellent | $61,178 | Challenging | |
| #14 | $76,529 | 36 | $25,000 | Excellent | $54,289 | Challenging | |
| #15 | Suny College At GeneseoPublic | $74,334 | 25 | $19,500 | Excellent | $22,092 | Good |
| #16 | Skidmore CollegePrivate | $74,125 | 37 | $19,500 | Excellent | $60,000 | Challenging |
| #17 | Binghamton UniversityPublic | $74,087 | 349 | $18,500 | Excellent | $27,270 | Manageable |
| #18 | Siena CollegePrivate | $71,847 | 36 | $26,561 | Excellent | $40,800 | Challenging |
| #19 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $70,698 | 274 | $26,000 | Excellent | $39,841 | Challenging |
| #20 | Suny At Purchase CollegePublic | $68,731 | 22 | $21,067 | Excellent | $30,798 | Manageable |
| #21 | St Lawrence UniversityPrivate | $67,881 | 70 | $27,000 | Good | $44,628 | Challenging |
| #22 | Stony Brook UniversityPublic | $67,617 | 311 | $18,228 | Excellent | $21,400 | Manageable |
| #23 | $65,176 | 20 | $21,196 | Excellent | $19,010 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Cuny Hunter CollegePublic | $64,231 | 143 | $11,000 | Excellent | $20,252 | Good |
| #25 | Canisius UniversityPrivate | $63,709 | 30 | $24,250 | Good | $23,720 | 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 →
