Best Universities for Economics 2026

The best universities for economics in 2026 are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and the London School of Economics (LSE). According to QS World University Rankings 2026, MIT and Harvard lead globally in economics research. Economics graduates earn some of the highest starting salaries of any degree, averaging $65,000–$95,000/year in entry-level positions.

What Are the Top Universities for Economics in 2026?

According to the QS World University Rankings 2026 and Times Higher Education subject rankings, the following institutions represent the world’s leading programs. Rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and international faculty and student diversity.

# University Location Global Ranking Degrees Offered
1 MIT Cambridge, USA #1 QS Economics BS, PhD
2 Harvard University Cambridge, USA #2 QS Economics AB, AM, PhD
3 London School of Economics London, UK #3 QS Economics BSc, MSc, PhD
4 University of Chicago Chicago, USA #4 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
5 Princeton University Princeton, USA #5 QS Economics AB, PhD
6 Stanford University Stanford, USA #6 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
7 University of Oxford Oxford, UK #7 QS Economics BA, MPhil, DPhil
8 Yale University New Haven, USA #8 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
9 University of Cambridge Cambridge, UK #9 QS Economics BA, MPhil, PhD
10 Columbia University New York, USA #10 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
11 UC Berkeley Berkeley, USA #11 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
12 Northwestern University Evanston, USA #12 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
13 New York University New York, USA #13 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
14 Bocconi University Milan, Italy #14 QS Economics BSc, MSc, PhD
15 University of Toronto Toronto, Canada #15 QS Economics BA/BSc, MA, PhD
16 Tilburg University Tilburg, Netherlands #16 QS Economics BSc, MSc, PhD
17 Sciences Po Paris, France #17 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
18 University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland #18 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD
19 Heidelberg University Heidelberg, Germany #19 QS Economics BSc, MSc, PhD
20 Seoul National University Seoul, South Korea #20 QS Economics BA, MA, PhD

Source: Compiled from QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2026, and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). Last updated: February 2026.

What Are the Best Countries to Study Economics?

The choice of country significantly impacts your education quality, career opportunities, and post-graduation prospects. Here are the top destinations based on program quality, affordability, and career outcomes:

Country Why Study Here
🇺🇸 USA Top-ranked economics departments; highest research output; strong quantitative focus
🇬🇧 UK LSE and Oxbridge world-famous; strong emphasis on theory and policy; lower tuition than USA
🇨🇭 Switzerland ETH Zurich, University of Zurich; excellent salaries post-graduation; financial sector hub
🇳🇱 Netherlands Tilburg University, Amsterdam; strong econometrics tradition; affordable EU tuition
🇮🇹 Italy Bocconi University globally ranked; fashion/luxury economics specializations; EU programs
🇩🇪 Germany Free tuition at public universities; strong economic institutions (IFO, DIW, RWI)

What Are the Career Prospects for Economics Graduates?

Economics graduates pursue careers in finance, consulting, government policy, central banking, international organizations, and technology. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, economists earn a median salary of $113,000/year in the USA. Investment banking, management consulting, and data science are among the highest-paying career paths for economics graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What careers can I pursue with an economics degree?

Economics graduates work in investment banking, management consulting, economic policy, central banking (Federal Reserve, ECB, Bank of England), international organizations (IMF, World Bank), technology companies, and academia. The degree’s strong quantitative skills are highly valued across industries.

Is economics a good degree for getting a job?

Yes, economics consistently ranks among degrees with the highest graduate employment rates and salaries. A 2025 Federal Reserve study found economics majors have median earnings of $85,000 by age 30, second only to engineering and computer science.

What is the difference between economics and finance?

Economics studies the allocation of scarce resources, market behavior, and policy impacts at a macro and micro level. Finance focuses on financial markets, investments, and corporate finance. Many top universities offer combined economics and finance degrees.

Do I need mathematics for an economics degree?

Modern economics is highly mathematical, particularly at research universities. Calculus, linear algebra, statistics, and econometrics are core components. Top programs like MIT, Chicago, and LSE require strong mathematical backgrounds.

What is the best country to study economics?

The USA dominates global rankings with MIT, Harvard, Chicago, and Princeton. The UK offers LSE, Oxford, and Cambridge at lower cost. Switzerland combines world-class education with proximity to global financial institutions. All are excellent choices depending on budget and career goals.

How much does it cost to study economics at a top university?

Annual tuition varies: USA Ivy League ($60,000–$65,000/year), LSE (£12,000–£22,000 for international students), ETH Zurich (CHF 730/semester ~$800), Bocconi (€14,000/year), German public universities (€0–€1,500/semester).

Data and rankings on this page are based on the latest available figures from QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education, and subject-specific accreditation bodies. Last verified: February 2026.

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