Compare 426 Economics. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $77,350. Top programs: $166,678+.
Economics programs produce graduates earning between $20,373 and $166,678—a $146K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 426 ranked programs nationally, outcomes vary dramatically based on program quality, not institutional reputation. The difference between the best and median program can reshape a career trajectory entirely.
Topping the list, Williams College's Economics program delivers $166,678 in median graduate earnings—well above the $77,350 national average across all 426 programs. Duke University ($161,149) and Princeton ($160,763) follow closely, while UC Berkeley's public program ($135,050) demonstrates that strong Economics outcomes aren't exclusive to selective private colleges. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Princeton graduates borrow just $10,320 and face a 1.0% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' tier. For families weighing parent loans, Duke leads with a 4.5% combined family burden on $40,998 in total debt—also 'Excellent'—proving the top earners in this field can also be among the most financially manageable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Williams CollegePrivate | $166,678 | 107 | $12,761 | Excellent | $31,178 | Excellent |
| #2 | Duke UniversityPrivate | $161,149 | 209 | $13,000 | Excellent | $27,998 | Excellent |
| #3 | Princeton UniversityPrivate | $160,763 | 122 | $10,320 | Excellent | $41,000 | Excellent |
| #4 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $159,578 | 634 | $15,000 | Excellent | $33,297 | Excellent |
| #5 | Harvard UniversityPrivate | $155,592 | 186 | $14,000 | Excellent | $28,000 | Excellent |
| #6 | Dartmouth CollegePrivate | $152,929 | 170 | $17,500 | Excellent | $44,481 | Excellent |
| #7 | Claremont Mckenna CollegePrivate | $146,524 | 129 | $13,500 | Excellent | $52,129 | Good |
| #8 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPrivate | $144,886 | 55 | $21,750 | Excellent | $37,130 | Excellent |
| #9 | Yale UniversityPrivate | $142,936 | 204 | $12,975 | Excellent | $29,769 | Excellent |
| #10 | Amherst CollegePrivate | $141,730 | 91 | $13,740 | Excellent | $47,598 | Excellent |
| #11 | Vanderbilt UniversityPrivate | $140,337 | 251 | $14,000 | Excellent | $30,844 | Excellent |
| #12 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $137,935 | 182 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Excellent |
| #13 | $137,710 | 327 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Excellent | |
| #14 | $135,050 | 799 | $13,000 | Excellent | $28,508 | Excellent | |
| #15 | Hamilton CollegePrivate | $130,633 | 88 | $17,000 | Excellent | $45,578 | Good |
| #16 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $129,985 | 234 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Excellent |
| #17 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $129,575 | 75 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Excellent |
| #18 | Colgate UniversityPrivate | $128,887 | 143 | $15,000 | Excellent | $59,463 | Good |
| #19 | Johns Hopkins UniversityPrivate | $128,882 | 132 | $10,250 | Excellent | $29,048 | Excellent |
| #20 | Swarthmore CollegePrivate | $128,051 | 80 | $17,500 | Excellent | $65,862 | Manageable |
| #21 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $126,006 | 335 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #22 | Brown UniversityPrivate | $124,508 | 215 | $11,428 | Excellent | $48,245 | Good |
| #23 | Tufts UniversityPrivate | $123,809 | 198 | $16,250 | Excellent | $38,325 | Good |
| #24 | Middlebury CollegePrivate | $123,477 | 111 | $13,857 | Excellent | $27,380 | Excellent |
| #25 | Colorado CollegePrivate | $122,998 | 60 | $18,257 | Excellent | $35,663 | 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 →
