Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

201 Ranked Colleges
4,493 Degrees Awarded
$48,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,493 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 201 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140.

Full Duke Economics Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 201 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 94 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Harvard has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Harvard University

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 201 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #3 spot on the list. New Haven, Connecticut is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 72 students in 2019-2020.

Yale also took the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Yale University

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 201 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 34 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Northwestern University

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Stanford University

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UPenn is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also took the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Pennsylvania Economics Report

#7

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

With a ranking of #7, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 278 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Johns Hopkins Economics Report

#8

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Rice University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Full Rice University Economics Report

#9

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts
#14 in overall quality

Williams College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Williams also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Williams are $59,350, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Williams College

#10

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#17 in overall quality

Princeton University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Princeton University

#11

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Economics at UChicago

#12

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Brown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brown University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 13 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown Economics Report

#13

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 12 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Washington University in St Louis Economics Report

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 128 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Economics Report

#15

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#10 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt University Economics Report

#16

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 27 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Cornell University

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 63 students in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at U-M

#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 156 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #21 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#19

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at UF

#20

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full University of Notre Dame Economics Report

#21

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#16 in overall quality

Boston College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 45 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Boston College

#22

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
Top 20% in overall quality

Tufts University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 25 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Tufts is in the top on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168.

Full Tufts Economics Report

#23

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Georgetown is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 115 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at Georgetown University

#24

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #24, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Economics Report

#25

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 25% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Economics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Rest of the Best 31 in Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 31 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#27

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#29

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#30

Hunter College

New York, New York
#31

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

Featured Economics Schools

Find Schools Near You