by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2025, College Factual analyzed 7 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Economics Master's Degree Schools in Illinois ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 315 master's degrees in economics to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology
The economics master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of master's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their master's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for economics students working on their master's degree.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Economics Master's Degree Schools in Illinois list, to help you choose the best school for you.
Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for economics students seeking a a master's degree.
It's hard to beat Northwestern University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in economics. Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Evanston.More information about a master’s in economics from Northwestern University
It is hard to beat University of Chicago if you wish to pursue a master's degree in economics. Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a master’s in economics from University of Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in economics. Located in the city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a master’s in economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Chicago is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a master's degree in economics. UIC is a very large public university located in the large city of Chicago.More information about a master’s in economics from University of Illinois at Chicago
Located in the city of Chicago, DePaul is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.
Master's graduates who receive their degree from the economics program earn an average of $69,682 in their early career salary.
More information about a master’s in economics from DePaul University
Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public university with a fairly large student population.More information about a master’s in economics from Illinois State University
WIU is a moderately-sized public university located in the remote town of Macomb.More information about a master’s in economics from Western Illinois University
Explore all the Best Economics Schools in the Great Lakes Area or other specific states within that region.
One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Economics has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics & Quantitative Economics | 311 |
| General Economics | 4 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Social Sciences | 706 |
| Political Science & Government | 113 |
| International Relations & National Security | 97 |
| Sociology | 66 |
| Geography & Cartography | 39 |
| Anthropology | 27 |
| Other Social Sciences | 9 |
| Urban Studies | 2 |