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.

| 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 |
| University Name | QS Global Rankings 2023 | Tuition Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of California - Los Angeles | 14 | 17,304 |
| Northwestern University | 15 | 44,016 |
| Duke University | 21 | 63,873 |
| University of Michigan- Ann Arbor | 21 | 58,880 |
| Cornell University | 29 | 62,465 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 46 | 61,165 |
| University of Texas- Austin | 58 | 50,354 |
| Texas A&M University | 97 | 45,645 |
| Ohio State University | 99 | 47,639 |
| University of Illinois– Urbana– Champaign | 106 | 32,545 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
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.
| Ranking | College Info | Top Courses | Fees & Cost of Living | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() #2/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Massachusetts Institute of Technology, CambridgeMassachusetts, USA4.52%Acceptance Rate | MS Economics Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL100 | Tuition: ($73,055/Yr)₹67.85L/Yr Living: ($21,264/Yr)₹19.75L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #1/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Harvard University, CambridgeMassachusetts, USA3%Acceptance Rate | B.A Economics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo115TOEFL80 | Tuition: ($62,226/Yr)₹57.8L/Yr Living: ($13,644/Yr)₹12.67L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #3/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Stanford University, StanfordCalifornia, USA4%Acceptance Rate | BA Economics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: SAT1510 | Tuition: ($64,588/Yr)₹59.99L/Yr Living: ($34,320/Yr)₹31.88L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #58/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() California Institute of Technology, PasadenaCalifornia, USA3%Acceptance Rate | B.A/B.S Economics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo130IELTS7 | Tuition: ($63,012/Yr)₹58.53L/Yr Living: ($20,991/Yr)₹19.5L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Partner Colleges
Best In Infrastructure
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
₹33.47L
1st Year Fees
MS Data Science
Apply Now
W. P. Carey School of Business
Tempe, Arizona
₹55.26L
1st Year Fees
MBA
Apply Now
Best In Infrastructure
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts
₹27.08L
1st Year Fees
MS Project Management
Apply Now
Best In Social Life
San Jose State University
San Jose, California
₹9.72L
1st Year Fees
MS Computer Science
Apply Now
Best In Faculty
University of Illinois-Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
₹39.5L
1st Year Fees
MS Business Analytics
Apply Now
Best In Infrastructure
Arizona State University
Tempe, Arizona
₹28.19L
1st Year Fees
MS Computer Science
Apply Now
Best In Infrastructure
Pace University
New York City, New York
₹56.51L
1st Year Fees
MBA Business Analytics
Apply Now
Best In Infrastructure
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, New Jersey
₹37.83L
1st Year Fees
MS Data Science
Apply Now
Best In Infrastructure
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
₹28.15L
1st Year Fees
B.S Computer Science
Apply Now
Best In Infrastructure
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
₹38.2L
1st Year Fees
MS Data Analytics Engineering
Apply Now
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #6/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() UC-Berkeley, BerkeleyCalifornia, USA11.7%Acceptance Rate | BA Economics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo115IELTS6.5 | Tuition: ($15,309/Yr)₹14.22L/Yr Living: ($7,806/Yr)₹7.25L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #4/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() University of Chicago, ChicagoIllinois, USA | M.B.A Economics Course duration: 21 months Exams Accepted: GMAT736TOEFL5.0PTE70 | Tuition: ($77,204/Yr)₹71.71L/Yr Living: ($29,000/Yr)₹26.94L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #14/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() University of Pennsylvania, PhiladelphiaPennsylvania, USA5%Acceptance Rate | MBA Business Economics and Public Policy Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo130TOEFL100 | Tuition: ($59,908/Yr)₹55.64L/Yr Living: ($18,966/Yr)₹17.62L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #5/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Princeton University, PrincetonNew Jersey, USA5%Acceptance Rate | B.A Economics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL100 | Tuition: ($66,630/Yr)₹61.89L/Yr Living: ($21,170/Yr)₹19.66L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #7/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Yale University, New HavenConnecticut, USA4.6%Acceptance Rate | MA International and Development Economics Course duration: 1 year | Tuition: ($67,100/Yr)₹62.32L/Yr Living: ($19,900/Yr)₹18.48L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #27/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Cornell University, IthacaNew York, USA8%Acceptance Rate | MS Applied Economics and Management Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL82 | Tuition: ($40,986/Yr)₹38.07L/Yr Living: ($18,640/Yr)₹17.31L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #64/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Johns Hopkins University, BaltimoreMaryland, USA6%Acceptance Rate | MS Applied Economics Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL100PTE68 | Tuition: ($62,801/Yr)₹58.33L/Yr Living: ($15,381/Yr)₹14.29L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #11/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Columbia University, New York CityNew York, USA4%Acceptance Rate | MS Financial Economics Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: GRE330TOEFL5.5PTE68 | Tuition: ($78,719/Yr)₹73.11L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #13/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() UC-Los Angeles, Los AngelesCalifornia, USA9%Acceptance Rate | MA Applied Economics Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: IELTS7 | Tuition: ($14,743/Yr)₹13.69L/Yr Living: ($27,396/Yr)₹25.45L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #22/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Umich-Ann Arbor, Ann ArborMichigan, USA16%Acceptance Rate | Ph.D Business and Economics Course duration: 3 years Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5 | Tuition: ($106,550/Yr)₹98.96L/Yr Living: ($21,016/Yr)₹19.52L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #12/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Northwestern University, EvanstonIllinois, USA | M.A Economics Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS7.5 | Tuition: ($69,798/Yr)₹64.83L/Yr Living: ($2,064/Yr)₹1.92L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #15/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() New York University, New York CityNew York, USA9%Acceptance Rate | MA Economics Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL5 | Tuition: ($63,974/Yr)₹59.42L/Yr Living: ($6,581/Yr)₹6.11L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #25/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Duke University, DurhamNorth Carolina, USA | MA Economics Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo125IELTS7 | Tuition: ($70,137/Yr)₹65.14L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #69/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() Carnegie Mellon University, PittsburghPennsylvania, USA12%Acceptance Rate | B.S Economics Course duration: 4 years Exams Accepted: Duolingo135IELTS7.5 | Tuition: ($63,178/Yr)₹58.68L/Yr Living: ($15,390/Yr)₹14.29L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #26/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() UC-San Diego, San DiegoCalifornia, USA | M.A Economics Course duration: 2 years Exams Accepted: TOEFL80PTE65 | Tuition: ($40,660/Yr)₹37.77L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![]() #66/700 QS Ranking 2025(Economics) | ![]() UI-Urbana, UrbanaIllinois, USA43.7%Acceptance Rate | M.S Agricultural and Applied Economics Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: TOEFL104 | Tuition: ($43,148/Yr)₹40.08L/Yr Living: ($14,522/Yr)₹13.49L/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||