2025 Best Economics Schools in Illinois
18
Colleges in Illinois
2,222
Economics Degrees Awarded
$55,327
Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in
economics, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #19 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 18 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Economics Schools in Illinois ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,222 degrees in economics to qualified students.
What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Economics School
The economics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Economics rankings. For our Best Overall Economics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that 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.
Pick Your Economics Degree Level
The 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 Economics Schools in Illinois.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Economics in Illinois
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 economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Illinois Schools in Economics
University of Chicago is a great option for students interested in a degree in economics. UChicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #3 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.
There were approximately 777 economics students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from University of Chicago get an earnings boost of approximately $36,748 over the typical earnings of economics graduates.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Chicago
Northwestern University is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in economics. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.
There were about 421 economics students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics major at Northwestern University get $29,605 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
More information about a degree in economics from Northwestern University
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
It's difficult to beat University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign if you wish to pursue a degree in economics. UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #41 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.
There were roughly 495 economics students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign make $3,594 more than the typical economics grad.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Wheaton College Illinois is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in economics. Located in the large suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #407 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Wheaton College Illinois is a great college overall.
There were about 40 economics students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois earn a boost of approximately $7,562 over the typical income of economics graduates.
More information about a degree in economics from Wheaton College Illinois
Located in the large city of Chicago, UIC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #254 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UIC is a great university overall.
There were about 127 economics students who graduated with this degree at UIC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the economics program state that they receive average early career wages of $37,767.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Illinois at Chicago
DePaul is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #135 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means DePaul is a great university overall.
There were about 29 economics students who graduated with this degree at DePaul in the most recent data year. After graduating, economics degree recipients generally earn around $50,459 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in economics from DePaul University
Located in the small suburb of Dekalb, NIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #529 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means NIU is a great university overall.
There were about 35 economics students who graduated with this degree at NIU in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the economics program earn about $45,386 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in economics from Northern Illinois University
Loyola Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. A Best Colleges rank of #100 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Loyola Chicago is a great university overall.More information about a degree in economics from Loyola University Chicago
North Central is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Naperville. This college ranks 32nd out of 85 schools for overall quality in the state of Illinois.
There were approximately 15 economics students who graduated with this degree at North Central in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the economics program earn about $52,728 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in economics from North Central College
Illinois State is a very large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal. A Best Colleges rank of #210 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Illinois State is a great university overall.
There were about 37 economics students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, economics degree recipients typically earn about $44,015 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in economics from Illinois State University
