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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k)

201 Ranked Colleges
4,493 Degrees Awarded
$47,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Master's For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 201 colleges that offer a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college decision.

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.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 72 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Yale has also earned the #3 rank 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.

Full Yale 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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Harvard University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 94 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Harvard University

#3

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 201 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #3 spot on the list. Duke University 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 $48-$75k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Duke

#4

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Williams College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. This small school is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and it awarded 27 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Williams did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Williams College are $59,350, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Williams College Economics Report

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#17 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k. Princeton is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 28 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 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 Princeton are $56,470.

Read full report on Economics at Princeton

#6

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Johns Hopkins is located in Baltimore, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 278 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Johns Hopkins Economics Report

#7

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 34 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Economics Report

#8

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#13 in overall quality

Stanford University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Stanford also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Stanford

#9

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Chicago Economics Report

#10

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Rice University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Rice is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 12 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also took the #18 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 Rice are $47,913.

Read more about Economics at Rice

#11

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#10 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Vanderbilt 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 also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt University Economics Report

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 128 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 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 Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Full Columbia Economics Report

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cornell is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 27 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Cornell has also earned the #12 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 Cornell are $30,042.

Read more about Economics at Cornell

#14

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#23 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 12 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at Washington University in St Louis

#15

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at UPenn

#16

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#15 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Brown 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

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 63 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Economics Report

#18

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #18, Georgetown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 115 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591.

Full Georgetown Economics Report

#19

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of Notre Dame

#20

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Economics Report

#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 156 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#22

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

With a ranking of #22, University of Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Florida is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at UF

#23

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#20 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 68 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at University of California - Los Angeles

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW Seattle is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

Top 20% in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 76 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UIUC is in the top on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Economics Report

Rest of the Best 31 in Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

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

#26

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#27

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#29

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#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.

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