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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Economics

234 Colleges in the United States
4,493 Master's Degrees
$59,160 Avg Early-Career Salary
Economics is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #44 most popular master's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

College Factual reviewed 234 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for master's degree seekers in the field of economics. Combined, these schools handed out 4,493 master's degrees in economics to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Economics School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Economics Your choice of school for getting your master's degree in economics matters. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Economics ranking is to help you make that choice.

While being high in popularity does not always mean a school has a quality economics program, it is a sign that a large number of students choose the school. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

Associate Degrees in Economics
Bachelor's Degrees in Economics
Doctor's Degrees in Economics
Overall Popularity in Economics

We have also developed a number of other rankings to help guide you in your decision-making process. To begin with, if this is not the degree level you are most interested in, you may want to check out one of the others noted above. If you would prefer to limit your search to a specific state or region of the county, see our rankings by location. On top of that, you can visit our other rankings for economics.


 

Below you'll see a list of the most popular colleges and universities for pursuing a master's degree in economics. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Economics Students Working on Their Master's

1
278 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MD
#1 Best Quality In MD

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Johns Hopkins University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in economics. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Maryland.

There were about 278 economics students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

Those economics students who get their master's degree from Johns Hopkins University earn $30,240 more than the average economics graduate.

More information about a master’s in economics from Johns Hopkins University

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166 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#6 Best Quality In MA

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in economics has to look into Brandeis University. Brandeis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Waltham. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Massachusetts.

There were about 166 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Brandeis in the most recent data year.

Students who graduate with their master's from the economics program report average early career wages of $49,700.

More information about a master’s in economics from Brandeis University

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Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
160 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#7 Best Quality In MA

Boston University is a popular decision for students pursuing a master's degree in economics. Located in the city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Massachusetts.

There were about 160 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from Boston University

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156 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WI
#1 Best Quality In WI

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in economics needs to take a look at University of Wisconsin - Madison. UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Wisconsin.

There were approximately 156 economics students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Wisconsin - Madison

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128 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in economics in New York.

There were about 128 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from Columbia University in the City of New York

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Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
115 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#1 Best Quality In DC

Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in District of Columbia.

There were about 115 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available.

Those economics students who get their master's degree from Georgetown University receive $7,340 more than the typical economics student.

More information about a master’s in economics from Georgetown University

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109 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#2 Best Quality In TX

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the city of College Station. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Texas.

There were approximately 109 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from Texas A&M University - College Station

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Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
94 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Massachusetts.

There were about 94 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from Harvard University

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Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
91 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NC
#1 Best Quality In NC

Duke is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Durham. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in North Carolina.

There were approximately 91 economics students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from Duke University

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80 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#2 Best Quality In CA

Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in economics in California.

There were about 80 economics students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Southern California

11
76 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IL
#3 Best Quality In IL

UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Illinois.

There were approximately 76 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

12
73 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In OH
#3 Best Quality In OH

Located in the town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Ohio.

There were roughly 73 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from Ohio University - Athens Campus

13
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
72 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CT
#1 Best Quality In CT

Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of New Haven. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Connecticut.

There were approximately 72 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from Yale University

14
68 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#3 Best Quality In CA

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Los Angeles. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in economics in California.

There were roughly 68 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of California - Los Angeles

14
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
68 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#4 Best Quality In NY

NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in economics in New York.

There were roughly 68 economics students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from New York University

16
63 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MI
#1 Best Quality In MI

Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Michigan.

There were approximately 63 economics students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

17
59 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MD
#2 Best Quality In MD

Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Maryland.

There were about 59 economics students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Maryland - College Park

17
59 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In IL
#1 Best Quality In IL

UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Chicago. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Illinois.

There were roughly 59 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Chicago

19
56 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In DC
#2 Best Quality In DC

Located in the city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in economics in District of Columbia.

There were about 56 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year.

Soon after graduation, economics master's recipients generally earn around $59,400 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a master’s in economics from George Washington University

20
55 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In TX
#3 Best Quality In TX

UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Austin. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Texas.

There were approximately 55 economics students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from The University of Texas at Austin

21
45 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#2 Best Quality In VA

Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Virginia.

There were about 45 economics students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from George Mason University

21
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
45 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In MA
#4 Best Quality In MA

Located in the small city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Massachusetts.

There were about 45 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from Boston College

23
44 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In TX
#6 Best Quality In TX

UH is a fairly large public university located in the city of Houston. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Texas.

There were about 44 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at UH in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from University of Houston

24
38 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In GA
#3 Best Quality In GA

Georgia State is a very large public university located in the city of Atlanta. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #3 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Georgia.

There were approximately 38 economics individuals who graduated with this degree at Georgia State in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in economics from Georgia State University

25
37 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In MA
#5 Best Quality In MA

Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in economics in Massachusetts.

There were roughly 37 economics students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in economics from Northeastern University

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The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
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SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO

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34
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
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DePaul crest
DePaul University
Chicago, IL
35
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Economics award.

Rank College Location
40 Princeton University Princeton, NJ
40 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA
40 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
40 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
44 Cornell University Ithaca, NY
44 Binghamton University Vestal, NY
44 Williams College Williamstown, MA
44 Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH

Economics by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Economics for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Economics is one of 12 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

Economics Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics 2,779
General Economics 1,132
Development Economics & International Development 239
Applied Economics 236
Other Economics 68
International Economics 39

Related Major Annual Graduates
International Relations & National Security 4,553
Political Science & Government 1,850
Sociology 1,311
Geography & Cartography 1,291
Anthropology 1,045
Criminology 783
General Social Sciences 631
Other Social Sciences 369
Urban Studies 300
Archeology 52

Notes and References

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