Best Economics Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Regional list from Best Economics Programs in the United States
This page ranks 96 Economics programs in the South by the median earnings of Economics graduates four years after completing, highest first. Duke University leads the list with median earnings of $161,149 four years after completing.
Across the listed schools, reported medians range from $161,149 to $28,212, with a median of $74,535.
Public institutions account for 54 of the 96 programs, and private nonprofits for 42. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $4,831.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $161,149 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
| Duke University reports median earnings of $161,149 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 6%. | |||||
| 2 | Vanderbilt University · Nashville, TN | $140,337 | $15,846 | $3,414 | 5.9% |
| Vanderbilt University ranks 2nd on this list, with a median of $12,000 in federal debt among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 3 | Rice University · Houston, TX | $129,575 | $13,370 | $5,827 | 8.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in Houston, Rice University posts an average net price of $13,370 and median earnings of $129,575 four years after completing. | |||||
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD | $128,882 | $18,809 | $428 | 6.4% |
| Johns Hopkins University carries an average net price of $428 for families earning under $30,000 and sits 70th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 5 | Georgetown University · Washington, DC | $118,999 | $40,815 | $5,064 | 12.9% |
| Georgetown University admits 13% of applicants and shows median earnings of $118,999 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA | $115,837 | $23,781 | -$1,777* | 14.0% |
| Washington and Lee University ranks 6th on this list, with a median of $23,399 in federal debt among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 7 | Elon University · Elon, NC | $112,303 | $41,555 | $26,523 | 66.4% |
| Elon University reports median earnings of $112,303 four years after completing and an admission rate of 66%. | |||||
| 8 | Emory University · Atlanta, GA | $111,631 | $22,585 | $7,363 | 10.7% |
| Emory University carries an average net price of $7,363 for families earning under $30,000 and a median of $20,826 in federal debt among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 9 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $110,773 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus ranks 9th on this list, with 465 graduates in the earnings cohort and median earnings of $110,773 four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA | $105,467 | $19,096 | $3,106 | 34.1% |
| William & Mary posts an average net price of $19,096 and sits 197th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 11 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $103,846 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admits 15% of applicants and reports a median of $14,135 in federal debt among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 12 | University of Richmond · University Of Richmond, VA | $100,608 | $31,309 | $12,808 | 22.2% |
| Median earnings of $100,608 for Economics graduates four years after completing are reported by University of Richmond, which also posts an average net price of $12,808 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 13 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $99,406 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
| George Washington University reports median earnings of $99,406 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $36,586. | |||||
| 14 | Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC | $98,209 | $28,719 | $6,525 | 21.7% |
| Wake Forest University admits 22% of applicants and its Economics graduates earn a median of $98,209 four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | University of Delaware · Newark, DE | $95,318 | $17,799 | $10,901 | 70.6% |
| A public university in Newark, University of Delaware ranks 15th on this list with median earnings of $95,318 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 16 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $92,998 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
| University of Miami shows a median federal debt of $16,101 among Economics completers who borrowed, while its graduates earn a median of $92,998 four years after completing. | |||||
| 17 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $92,653 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks 112th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $92,653 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | The Catholic University of America · Washington, DC | $91,962 | $29,561 | $17,358 | 82.8% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left The Catholic University of America with a median of $26,000 in federal loans, and its Economics graduates earn a median of $91,962 four years after completing. | |||||
| 19 | Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX | $91,701 | $40,892 | $23,544 | 63.4% |
| Southern Methodist University posts an average net price of $40,892 and median earnings of $91,701 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 20 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $89,466 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 44.5% |
| Texas Christian University admits 44% of applicants, and its Economics graduates earn a median of $89,466 four years after completing. | |||||
| 21 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $89,354 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median earnings of $89,354 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 22 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $89,075 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| University of Florida reports an average net price of $6,541 and median earnings of $89,075 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 23 | The University of the South · Sewanee, TN | $87,762 | $27,872 | $10,485 | 56.9% |
| The University of the South shows a median federal debt of $23,250 among Economics completers who borrowed, while its graduates earn a median of $87,762 four years after completing. | |||||
| 24 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $87,548 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| George Mason University ranks 33rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $87,548 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $86,681 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
| James Madison University reports median earnings of $86,681 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $11,444 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 26 | American University · Washington, DC | $85,016 | $41,943 | $23,233 | 62.0% |
| A private nonprofit university in Washington, American University ranks 26th on this list and shows a 62% admission rate. | |||||
| 27 | Morehouse College · Atlanta, GA | $84,816 | $39,013 | $36,359 | 44.0% |
| Morehouse College graduates in the earnings cohort number 21, and the program's median federal debt is $22,502 among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 28 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $83,880 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
| With 400 graduates in the earnings cohort, University of Maryland-College Park posts median earnings of $83,880 four years after completing and ranks 71st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 29 | Rhodes College · Memphis, TN | $82,950 | $28,585 | $15,770 | 50.4% |
| Rhodes College admits 50% of applicants and its Economics graduates earn a median of $82,950 four years after completing. | |||||
| 30 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $82,438 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
| University of Georgia reports an average net price of $13,936 and median earnings of $82,438 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 31 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $81,562 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Ranking 25th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, Texas A&M University-College Station shows median federal debt of $17,120 among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 32 | Tulane University of Louisiana · New Orleans, LA | $79,957 | $39,949 | $16,126 | 14.0% |
| Tulane University of Louisiana posts median earnings of $79,957 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 14%. | |||||
| 33 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County · Baltimore, MD | $79,729 | $16,467 | $5,087 | 72.4% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County reports an average net price of $5,087 for families earning under $30,000 and median earnings of $79,729 four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | Clemson University · Clemson, SC | $79,468 | $22,253 | $13,607 | 38.3% |
| With a 38% admission rate, Clemson University ranks 34th on this list and its Economics graduates earn a median of $79,468 four years after completing. | |||||
| 35 | University of Dallas · Irving, TX | $78,699 | $22,610 | $12,711 | 53.4% |
| University of Dallas shows median federal debt of $24,752 among Economics completers who borrowed and median earnings of $78,699 four years after completing. | |||||
| 36 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $78,204 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| Ranking 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, University of Houston reports an average net price of $14,276 and 181 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 37 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $77,536 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia reports median earnings of $77,536 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $22,811. | |||||
| 38 | Hendrix College · Conway, AR | $77,167 | $24,149 | $15,951 | 55.7% |
| A private nonprofit college in Conway, Hendrix College ranks 38th on this list and shows a median federal debt of $27,000 among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 39 | Towson University · Towson, MD | $76,509 | $17,413 | $6,962 | 82.0% |
| Towson University admits 82% of applicants and places 114th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 40 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $76,360 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| With median earnings of $76,360 four years after completing, University of Central Florida posts an average net price of $5,816 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 41 | Virginia Military Institute · Lexington, VA | $76,296 | $17,113 | $12,697 | 71.3% |
| Virginia Military Institute ranks 41st on this list, and its Economics completers who borrowed left with a median of $22,150 in federal loans. | |||||
| 42 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $76,123 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus reports median earnings of $76,123 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 63 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 43 | University of Lynchburg · Lynchburg, VA | $75,903 | $22,235 | $20,692 | 43.0% |
| A private nonprofit institution, University of Lynchburg shows a school-wide median federal debt of $27,000 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 44 | Centre College · Danville, KY | $75,885 | $20,781 | $11,364 | 54.4% |
| Centre College ranks 44th on this list and reports an average net price of $20,781 alongside median earnings of $75,885 four years after completing. | |||||
| 45 | Washington College · Chestertown, MD | $75,674 | $27,898 | $17,804 | 56.9% |
| Washington College admits 57% of applicants, and its Economics completers who borrowed left with a median of $27,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 46 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $75,479 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas places 74th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $75,479 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 47 | Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA | $75,365 | $23,015 | $12,461 | 86.0% |
| With an admission rate of 86%, Christopher Newport University posts an average net price of $12,461 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 48 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $75,014 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 53.2% |
| University of North Florida reports a school-wide median federal debt of $15,531 across all of its borrowers who completed, and its Economics graduates earn a median of $75,014 four years after completing. | |||||
| 49 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $74,056 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| Florida Atlantic University reports $74,056 in median earnings for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $8,752. | |||||
| 50 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $73,527 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
| With an admission rate of 24%, Florida State University ranks 65th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 51 | Auburn University · Auburn, AL | $72,617 | $24,323 | $16,681 | 45.9% |
| Auburn University posts median earnings of $72,617 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, and graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a median of $21,000 in federal loans. | |||||
| 52 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $71,821 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 80% of applicants. | |||||
| 53 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $71,739 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Median federal debt among Economics completers who borrowed is $18,500 at Texas State University, which reports median earnings of $71,739 four years after completing. | |||||
| 54 | St. Mary's College of Maryland · St. Mary's City, MD | $71,252 | $18,441 | $2,889 | 68.6% |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland carries an average net price of $2,889 for families earning under $30,000, while its Economics graduates earn a median of $71,252 four years after completing. | |||||
| 55 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $70,022 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 54.7% |
| Ranking 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, Florida International University reports median earnings of $70,022 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 56 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $69,943 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
| Radford University admits 90% of applicants and shows median federal debt of $25,565 among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 57 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $69,296 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 49.9% |
| North Carolina A & T State University reports median earnings of $69,296 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $10,846. | |||||
| 58 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $68,973 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| At Texas Tech University, median federal debt among Economics completers who borrowed is $27,000, and the school ranks 86th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 59 | Hampden-Sydney College · Hampden-Sydney, VA | $68,795 | $22,400 | $13,422 | 40.9% |
| A private nonprofit institution in Hampden-Sydney, Hampden-Sydney College posts median earnings of $68,795 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 60 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $68,532 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
| University of Kentucky admits 93% of applicants and reports an average net price of $12,182 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 61 | Rollins College · Winter Park, FL | $68,194 | $34,732 | $27,177 | 47.5% |
| Rollins College reports median earnings of $68,194 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $34,732. | |||||
| 62 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $68,051 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
| Western Kentucky University, a public university in Bowling Green, ranks 62nd on this list and shows an admission rate of 94%. | |||||
| 63 | University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA | $67,903 | $20,667 | $10,304 | 79.8% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left University of Mary Washington with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, and the school's Economics completers earn a median of $67,903 four years after completing. | |||||
| 64 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $67,902 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville posts median earnings of $67,902 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 42 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 65 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $67,285 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
| Appalachian State University ranks 65th on this list and reports an average net price of $9,325 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 66 | Austin College · Sherman, TX | $67,071 | $21,107 | $16,528 | 47.7% |
| Austin College admits 48% of applicants and its Economics graduates earn a median of $67,071 four years after completing. | |||||
| 67 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $67,007 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| University of South Florida reports median federal debt of $18,649 among Economics completers who borrowed, and its graduates earn a median of $67,007 four years after completing. | |||||
| 68 | University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC | $66,736 | $12,250 | $8,219 | 91.9% |
| An Azimuth composite rank of 880th among nonprofit four-year institutions accompanies median earnings of $66,736 for University of North Carolina Asheville's Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 69 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $66,040 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas shows an average net price of $15,649 and median earnings of $66,040 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 70 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $64,597 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
| East Carolina University reports median federal debt of $24,788 among Economics completers who borrowed, alongside an admission rate of 89%. | |||||
| 71 | Howard University · Washington, DC | $63,972 | $50,539 | $46,051 | 41.3% |
| Howard University posts median earnings of $63,972 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $46,051 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 72 | Covenant College · Lookout Mountain, GA | $62,761 | $26,265 | $18,310 | 86.5% |
| Covenant College ranks 72nd on this list and reports a school-wide median federal debt of $22,500 across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 73 | Georgia State University · Atlanta, GA | $58,344 | $15,931 | $13,787 | 55.4% |
| Georgia State University reports median earnings of $58,344 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $15,931. | |||||
| 74 | Furman University · Greenville, SC | $57,318 | $30,308 | $16,401 | 43.0% |
| Furman University, a private nonprofit in Greenville, admits 43% of applicants and shows an average net price of $30,308. | |||||
| 75 | University of West Georgia · Carrollton, GA | $56,681 | $12,786 | $10,339 | 51.6% |
| University of West Georgia ranks 75th on this list, with median federal debt of $21,625 among Economics completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 76 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $56,369 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley carries an average net price of $4,831 and ranks 11th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 77 | Loyola University Maryland · Baltimore, MD | $54,713 | $30,574 | $20,549 | 75.5% |
| Loyola University Maryland reports median earnings of $54,713 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with an admission rate of 75%. | |||||
| 78 | Trinity University · San Antonio, TX | $52,107 | $23,464 | $10,356 | 25.9% |
| Trinity University admits 26% of applicants and posts an average net price of $10,356 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 79 | Flagler College · Saint Augustine, FL | $52,107 | $30,525 | $21,733 | 80.8% |
| Flagler College ranks 79th on this list, with median earnings of $52,107 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 80 | Goucher College · Baltimore, MD | $51,727 | $22,470 | $13,471 | 77.7% |
| Goucher College shows median federal debt of $25,000 among Economics completers who borrowed and an average net price of $22,470. | |||||
| 81 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $50,863 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro reports median earnings of $50,863 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with a cohort of 27 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 82 | Bellarmine University · Louisville, KY | $49,331 | $21,499 | $18,430 | 86.1% |
| Bellarmine University admits 86% of applicants and ranks 783rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 83 | Salisbury University · Salisbury, MD | $48,823 | $17,743 | $6,743 | 87.5% |
| Salisbury University carries an average net price of $6,743 for families earning under $30,000 and reports median earnings of $48,823 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 84 | Ave Maria University · Ave Maria, FL | $48,041 | $24,860 | $18,761 | 41.4% |
| Ave Maria University ranks 84th on this list, with an admission rate of 41% and an average net price of $24,860. | |||||
| 85 | Randolph-Macon College · Ashland, VA | $43,426 | $27,866 | $16,601 | 86.6% |
| Randolph-Macon College admits 87% of applicants and reports median earnings of $43,426 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 86 | Middle Tennessee State University · Murfreesboro, TN | $42,701 | $13,359 | $9,289 | 69.1% |
| Middle Tennessee State University, a public university in Murfreesboro, posts an average net price of $13,359 and a median of $20,000 in federal loans across all of its borrowers who completed. | |||||
| 87 | College of Charleston · Charleston, SC | $41,937 | $18,960 | $12,133 | 60.0% |
| College of Charleston ranks 87th on this list and shows median earnings of $41,937 for its Economics graduates four years after completing, with 23 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 88 | The University of Tampa · Tampa, FL | $41,565 | $36,211 | $30,011 | 40.3% |
| The University of Tampa reports an average net price of $30,011 for families earning under $30,000 and an admission rate of 40%. | |||||
| 89 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $40,647 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
| University of Arkansas ranks 218th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $40,647 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 90 | Agnes Scott College · Decatur, GA | $39,729 | $24,754 | $21,467 | 62.2% |
| Agnes Scott College posts an average net price of $24,754 and an admission rate of 62%, with 5 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 91 | Florida Gulf Coast University · Fort Myers, FL | $39,009 | $12,568 | $8,220 | 63.4% |
| Florida Gulf Coast University reports median earnings of $39,009 for its Economics graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $8,220 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 92 | Wofford College · Spartanburg, SC | $38,472 | $18,732 | $8,493 | 51.9% |
| Wofford College ranks 616th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 52% of applicants. | |||||
| 93 | Shepherd University · Shepherdstown, WV | $36,674 | $11,363 | $7,906 | 96.8% |
| Shepherd University admits 97% of applicants and posts an average net price of $11,363, with 7 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
| 94 | Georgia Southern University · Statesboro, GA | $36,166 | $15,267 | $12,162 | 87.9% |
| Georgia Southern University reports median earnings of $36,166 for its Economics graduates four years after completing and ranks 124th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 95 | Jacksonville State University · Jacksonville, AL | $32,925 | $14,279 | $12,472 | 77.7% |
| Jacksonville State University posts an average net price of $12,472 for families earning under $30,000 and reports median earnings of $32,925 for its Economics graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 96 | Guilford College · Greensboro, NC | $28,212 | $22,270 | $18,367 | 80.0% |
| Guilford College ranks 96th on this list and shows an average net price of $22,270, with 6 graduates in the earnings cohort. | |||||
* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Economics graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 18 of the 96 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between first-ranked Duke University and second-ranked Vanderbilt University is $20,812, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $132,937.