2025 Best Applied Economics Schools
20
Colleges in the United States
550
Applied Economics Degrees Awarded
A degree in
applied economics is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #534 out of 1506 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.
In 2025, College Factual analyzed 20 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Applied Economics Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 550 degrees in applied economics to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Applied Economics School
Your choice of applied economics school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for applied economics schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Applied Economics Rankings by Degree Level
The applied economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Applied Economics Schools.
You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.
In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you.
When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.
More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.
Best Schools for Applied Economics in the United States
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the applied economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Schools in Applied Economics
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In DC
It is hard to beat Georgetown University if you wish to pursue a degree in applied economics. Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.
There were about 22 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Georgetown University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In CA
It is difficult to beat University of California - Los Angeles if you want to pursue a degree in applied economics. UCLA is a very large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.
There were about 29 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University of California - Los Angeles
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Applied Economics
Program Name
If you're the kind of person who enjoys working with numbers and solving tough problems, a graduate degree in economics may be for you.
More information about a degree in MS in Applied Economics from Southern New Hampshire University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MI
36
Applied Economics Degrees Awarded
Every student pursuing a degree in applied economics has to take a look at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.
There were roughly 36 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In MN
53
Applied Economics Degrees Awarded
Any student who is interested in applied economics needs to take a look at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.
There were roughly 53 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Pittsburgh. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.
There were about 21 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Carnegie Mellon University
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In NY
126
Applied Economics Degrees Awarded
Binghamton University is a fairly large public university located in the midsize suburb of Vestal. This university ranks 15th out of 136 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.
There were about 126 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Binghamton University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Binghamton University
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In TX
SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Dallas. A Best Colleges rank of #142 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SMU is a great university overall.
There were about 1 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Southern Methodist University
Virginia Tech is a very large public school located in the small city of Blacksburg. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.
There were approximately 19 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Virginia Tech
Bachelor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In AZ
University of Arizona is a very large public university located in the city of Tucson. A Best Colleges rank of #110 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Arizona is a great university overall.
There were roughly 5 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.
More information about a degree in applied economics from University of Arizona
Master's Degree
Highest Degree Type
1st
Most Popular In FL
Florida State is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Tallahassee. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.
There were about 22 applied economics students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in applied economics from Florida State University
