Compare 96 Economics. programs in the South. Average earnings: $63,943.
With top graduates earning $153,139, Economics stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $89K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Duke University's Economics program leads with graduates earning $153,139, followed by Washington and Lee at $110,050. The regional story is strong: across 96 Southern programs, the $64K average shows how outcomes vary by program quality, not just school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Duke graduates borrow $13,000 and face just a 1.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $153,139 | 219 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Excellent |
| #2 | $110,050 | 56 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good | |
| #3 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $108,040 | 112 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Excellent |
| #4 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $104,258 | 257 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Good |
| #5 | University Of RichmondPrivate | $102,501 | 42 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,512 | Good |
| #6 | Georgetown UniversityPrivate | $92,475 | 179 | $15,500 | Excellent | $33,944 | Good |
| #7 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $91,751 | 139 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Good |
| #8 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $88,145 | 86 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Good |
| #9 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $86,679 | 128 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Good |
| #10 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $86,390 | 61 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Manageable |
| #11 | Morehouse CollegePrivate | $83,743 | 22 | $25,000 | Excellent | $87,329 | High |
| #12 | $81,620 | 450 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #13 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $80,898 | 176 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Manageable |
| #14 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $80,423 | 132 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Good |
| #15 | $80,369 | 511 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $79,084 | 409 | $14,000 | Excellent | $25,072 | Good | |
| #17 | $77,364 | 126 | $20,500 | Excellent | $33,574 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $77,023 | 83 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $75,051 | 116 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #20 | $74,491 | 165 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Manageable | |
| #21 | Elon UniversityPrivate | $73,684 | 23 | $20,500 | Excellent | $46,609 | Challenging |
| #22 | Trinity UniversityPrivate | $72,862 | 38 | $22,954 | Excellent | $19,986 | Manageable |
| #23 | $72,814 | 465 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #24 | University Of FloridaPublic | $72,775 | 319 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good |
| #25 | William & MaryPublic | $72,419 | 142 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | 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 →
