Collegedunia Team's profile photo

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

Economics colleges in USA cover major elements like mathematics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, statistical analysis, and financial economics in the curriculum. According to QS Ranking 2022, 25 economics colleges in USA were included in the top 100 universities of the world. Number of jobs added for people with the typical qualification of Masters in Economics in USA is expected to be 2,900 by 2029.

  • Average pay of an economics graduate in USA is 105,020 USD (87.1 L INR) per year as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • According to BLS, the salary for economists is expected to increase by around 8% by 2026 with the industry witnessing 14% growth from 2019-2029.
  • USA is home to 7 out of the top 10 global universities according to QS Ranking 2022 and about 7.8% of international students study social sciences in the USA.

Economics Colleges in USA Fees

Best Economics Colleges in USA

University Name QS Global Rankings 2023 Tuition Fees (USD)
Harvard University 1 60,761
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 2 82,314
Stanford University 3 61,398
University of Chicago 4 67,779
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 5 23,778
Princeton University 7 57,570
Yale University 8 68,831
New York University 11 35,801
Columbia University 12 57,402
University of Pennsylvania 13 65,274

Other Economics Colleges in USA

Economics Colleges in USA for Undergraduate Programs

University Name Tuition Fees (USD) Tuition Fees (INR)
Harvard University 60,761 50.34 L
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 82,314 68.2 L
Stanford University 61,398 50.87 L
University of Chicago 67,779 56.15 L
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) 23,778 19.7 L

Economics Colleges in USA for Doctorate Programs

University Name Tuition Fees (USD) Tuition Fees (USD)
Princeton University 62,570 51.84 L
Yale University 44,500 36.87 L
New York University 58,862 48.7 L
Columbia University 57,402 47.5 L
University of Pennsylvania 43,832 36.31 L

Economics Colleges in USA: Admission Requirements

Harvard University

  • Applicants should have an understanding of economics and have taken at least some economics courses beyond the principles level.
  • Applicants should be able to demonstrate their ability to do research by either having done research previously or via experience as a research assistant.
  • English Proficiency Test Scores: TOEFL: 80 or above
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • GRE is not required for admission

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  • Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree.
  • Applicants should have one full year of college mathematics and professional subjects in economics
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • Three Letter of Recommendation

Stanford University

  • Applicants must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing.
  • The Economics Department does not require and does not consider GRE scores for 2023-24 admission.
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • Three strong letters of recommendation

Princeton University

  • Applicants must have passed 12th and are expected to study the following subjects: Four years of English (including continued practice in writing) Four years of mathematics.
  • Strong prior knowledge of the field, mathematical aptitude, and work experience is recommended.
  • English Proficiency Test Scores: IELTS 6.5 | TOEFL: 90 or above
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose

University of Chicago

  • a transcript with two quarters of grades from MAPSS or MACSS.
  • Candidates should prove strong math skills, relevant work experience, and basic computer programming skills.
  • at least one letter of recommendation from one of the tenured-track faculty.
  • Updated Resume
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letter of Recommendation

How to choose Universities?

There are more than 3500 universities in USA, so it is a tough task to select the right university. You need to extensively research the university’s ranking, course modules, and fees for the course. There are certain tools which recommend universities according to your profile, like the Grad School Finder (GSF). After the shortlisted universities, try to analyze how much is the return of investment, including, rankings, job opportunities, fees, course structure, research opportunities, etc. After that, use tools like University Comparer, to have comparison between universities shortlisted. Before finalizing, look at your budget, and the location of the university, and the student profiles of students who graduated to give an idea on how the career of the students who graduated from the university of your choice were.

FAQs

Ques. Is Economics a STEM-degree in USA?

Ans.The Department of Economics submitted applications to change the CIP codes for the BA and BS majors. The applications were recently approved and Economics is now designated as a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) discipline.


Ques.How much does it cost to study Economics courses in USA?

Ans.A master's degree takes 1.5-2 years to complete and costs 24,000 USD – 62,000 USD (19.8 L INR - 51.36 L INR) per year. A bachelor's degree in the field can take two-four years and cost 9,000 USD - 35,000 USD (7.45 L INR- 28.9 L INR) a year. A PhD in Economics can take three-five years and cost between 28,000 USD and 40,000 USD (23.19 L INR and 33.14 L INR) per year.


Ques.Are Scholarships available for international students?

Ans.Yes, each university offers financial assistance for the need- based students. You must check the portal of the university to verify your eligibility.


Ques.What is the average salary for economics graduates in USA?

Ans.Average pay of an economics graduate in USA is 105,020 USD (87.1 L INR) per year as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Ques.Can Indian students work in the USA after completing their studies?

Ans. A STEM certified MS economics program will allow international students to avail the 24 months OPT extension in addition to the 12 months OPT tenure.

Select
Show More
Select Subject
Show More
Stream
Subject
Course
Colleges By Ranking
Institution Type
College Type
State
Region
City
Entrance / Exam Accepted
Avg Fees Per/yr
Attendance Type
Course Delivery Mode
Language

Found 19 universities

Sort By
RankCollege InfoTuition Fees & living Cost(Avg.)Top CoursesRanking & Reviews
#1Yale University logo

Yale University, New Haven

Connecticut, Usa4.6%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $50.9K/YrLiving$19.9K/YrAdmission MA International and Development...Duolingo120IELTS7PTE70$50.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
1 More Program
8.2/10(3 Users)Ranked 6 by US News in 2025
#2UI-Urbana logo

UI-Urbana, Urbana

Illinois, Usa43.7%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $46.9K/YrLiving$14.5K/YrAdmission B.S Policy, International Trade ...Duolingo105IELTS6.5$46.9K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
9.0/10(19 Users)Ranked 32 by US News in 2025
#3Boston University logo

Boston University, Boston

Massachusetts, Usa10.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $63.8K/YrLiving$19K/YrAdmission M.S Economic Development and Tou...GRE298TOEFL84$63.8K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
8.3/10(14 Users)Ranked 24 by US News in 2025
#4Vanderbilt University logo

Vanderbilt University, Nashville

Tennessee, Usa6.3%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $42.3K/YrLiving$11.5K/YrAdmission M.A Economic DevelopmentGRE311TOEFL100PTE70$42.3K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
9.2/10(1 User)Ranked 32 by US News in 2025
#5Ohio State University logo

Ohio State University, Columbus

Ohio, Usa57.2%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $53.8K/YrLiving$14.7K/YrAdmission B.S Environment, Economy, Develo...GMAT21TOEFL79$41.3K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
1 More Program
8.3/10(6 Users)Ranked 37 by US News in 2025
#6University of Arizona logo

University of Arizona, Tucson

Arizona, Usa86%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $41K/YrLiving$19.2K/YrAdmission B.A Global Studies: Political Ec...Duolingo100TOEFL70PTE53$41K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
9.0/10(17 Users)Ranked 41 by US News in 2025
#7Northeastern University logo

Northeastern University, Boston

Massachusetts, Usa5.6%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $32.5K/YrLiving$27.2K/YrAdmission M.S Commerce and Economic Develo...GRE293IELTS6.5PTE53$32.5K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
8.3/10(50 Users)Ranked 201 by THE in 2025Ranked 384 by QS in 2026
#8Georgia State University logo

Georgia State University, Atlanta

Georgia, Usa52%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $33.3K/YrLiving$13.4K/YrAdmission Graduate Certificate Planning an...IELTS6.5$33.3K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
6.7/10(12 Users)Ranked 61 by US News in 2025
#9Virginia Tech logo

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

Virginia, Usa57%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $33.3K/YrLiving$12.7K/YrAdmission B.Sc International Trade and Dev...Duolingo115IELTS6.5PTE59$33.3K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
1 More Program
9.7/10(5 Users)Ranked 358 by QS in 2026Ranked 23 by ARWU in 2022
#10University of Vermont logo

University of Vermont, Burlington

Vermont, Usa60%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $51.6K/YrLiving$12K/YrAdmission M.S Community Development and Ap...GRE300IELTS6.5$51.6K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
8.0/10(1 User)
#11University of San Francisco logo

University of San Francisco, San Francisco

California, Usa51%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $44.9K/YrLiving$14.3K/YrAdmission M.S International & Development ...Duolingo120TOEFL90PTE61$29.9K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
1 More Program
8.3/10(9 Users)Ranked 1201 by QS in 2026Ranked 1417 by CWUR in 2025
#12Yale School of Management logo

Yale School of Management, New Haven

Connecticut, Usa27%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $50.9K/YrLiving$22.2K/YrAdmission MA International and Development...Duolingo120IELTS7PTE70$50.9K/Yr
Course duration: 1 year
Programs
Ranked 24 by Financial Times in 2025
#13Appalachian State University logo

Appalachian State University, Boone

North Carolina, Usa42.8%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $25.1K/YrLiving$8.2K/YrAdmission B.A Economics - Regional Economi...Duolingo100TOEFL78$25.1K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 1777 by CWUR in 2025Ranked 305 by FORBES in 2019
#14Illinois State University logo

Illinois State University, Normal

Illinois, Usa89%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $24.1K/YrLiving$11.8K/YrAdmission M.S Kinesiology and Recreation -...Duolingo105IELTS6.5$24.1K/Yr
Course duration: 2 years
Programs
7.5/10(4 Users)Ranked 1789 by CWUR in 2025Ranked 340 by FORBES in 2019
#15Seattle Pacific University logo

Seattle Pacific University, Seattle

Washington, Usa91%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $38K/YrLiving$11.2K/YrAdmission B.A Economics - Development Econ...Duolingo105IELTS6.5PTE56$38K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 289 by FORBES in 2019
#16Messiah University logo

Messiah University, Mechanicsburg

Pennsylvania, Usa79.5%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $42.2K/YrLiving$10.2K/YrAdmission B.A Economic DevelopmentSAT1196TOEFL80$42.2K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
Ranked 291 by FORBES in 2019
#17University of Central Oklahoma logo

University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond

Oklahoma, Usa82%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $17.4K/YrLiving$8K/YrAdmission B.A Career, Technical and Workfo...TOEFL79PTE42$17.4K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
4.3/10(2 Users)
#18University of North Carolina logo

University of North Carolina, Pembroke

North Carolina, Usa92%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $5K/YrLiving$8.9K/YrAdmission B.A Applied Professional Studies...Duolingo95IELTS6$5K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
8.8/10(1 User)
#19Eastern University logo

Eastern University, St. Davids

Pennsylvania, Usa94%Acceptance Rate
Tuition:  $37.7K/YrLiving$11K/YrAdmission B.A Economic DevelopmentDuolingo115IELTS6.5$37.7K/Yr
Course duration: 4 years
Programs
--