Economics: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Economics is the study of how individuals, organizations, and societies allocate limited resources to satisfy unlimited wants. This program equips students with analytical tools to understand market dynamics, economic behavior, and policy outcomes across global and local contexts.
- Microeconomic Theory: Explores decision-making by households, firms, and markets, focusing on supply and demand, consumer behavior, and the efficiency of resource allocation.
- Macroeconomic Analysis: Examines aggregate economic phenomena such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and monetary and fiscal policy at national and international levels.
- Econometrics: Applies statistical methods and mathematical models to test economic theories and forecast trends using real-world data.
- International Economics: Investigates trade patterns, exchange rates, global financial systems, and the economic implications of cross-border interactions.
- Public Finance: Analyzes government revenue, spending, taxation, and the role of fiscal policy in shaping economic outcomes and equity.
- Behavioral Economics: Integrates psychological insights into economic decision-making to understand deviations from rational choice in real-world settings.
- Economic Policy Evaluation: Assesses the impact of regulations, subsidies, and interventions using empirical evidence and cost-benefit analysis.
Economics Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Economics Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Economics degrees, including Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary and Economists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 659,280 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Economics Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1063 | $119,980 | $57,550 - $217,160 | 12,420 | N/A |
| Economists 19-3011 | $115,440 | $62,340 - $212,710 | 15,880 | $55.50 |
Economics Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $82,827 in Florida to $156,380 in District of Columbia—a 89% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 659,280 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Economics by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 24 institutions offering Economics programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Economics is found at Centre College (48 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (39 graduates), Colorado College (37 graduates), Western Washington University (WWU) (25 graduates), and The Chicago School (TCSPP), Los Angeles (20 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 250 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre College |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Danville, Kentucky | Private | centre.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
39 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
37 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| The Chicago School (TCSPP) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
20 | Los Angeles, California | Private | thechicagoschool.edu |
| Westminster College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | New Wilmington, Pennsylvania | Private | westminster.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
6 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Augsburg University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | augsburg.edu |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne (PFW) |
Other Award
|
3 | Fort Wayne, Indiana | Public | pfw.edu |
| Temple University |
Other Award
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Union University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Regis University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Denver, Colorado | Private | regis.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| Canisius University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Buffalo, New York | Private | canisius.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| University of Dallas (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Irving, Texas | Private | udallas.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Economics programs
How much can I earn with a Economics degree?
Salaries for Economics graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Economics Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $119,980. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $156,380 compared to $82,827 in Florida. Approximately 659,280 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Economics programs?
Currently 24 accredited institutions offer Economics degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Centre College (48 graduates), Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) (39 graduates), and Colorado College (37 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Economics growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 429 in 2010 to a peak of 429 in 2020, before declining slightly to 250 in 2023-24. This represents a 42% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Economics degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Economics Teachers, Postsecondary, and Economists. Related occupations employ approximately 659,280 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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