A Masters in Economics is an excellent educational degree that gives you several options for a career in the future. The Masters of Economics from the right school gives you an opportunity to explore many career options with well-paid salaries. Some schools even offer online economic degrees.
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Why Choose a Masters in Economics?
Between 2016 and 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics believes that careers in economics will grow by around 6%. Additionally, the current median pay for someone with a Masters in Economics is $102,490.
Getting a Masters in Economics
With a Masters in Economics degree, you can choose to work in a few areas. You could become a budget analyst, operations research analyst, economist, market research analyst or other professional in the field. Most graduate programs will want you to take the Graduate Management Admission Test before you begin, but not all require it.
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University | College Station, Texas |
| 2 | University of Missouri | Columbia, Missouri |
| 3 | University of Oregon | Eugene, Oregon |
| 4 | Iowa State University | Ames, Iowa |
| 5 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, Florida |
Top 15 Schools for a Masters in Economics
We have selected 15 of the best schools to go to for a Masters in Economics.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University offers a Master of Science in Economics with a concentration in Financial Economics or Econometrics. There is a fast-track program available. The program consists of 36 credit hours.
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri offers a Master’s program in the STEM discipline. This provides training in economics and focuses on careers based in government or business. The program is able to be completed in just three semesters.
University of Oregon
The University of Oregon offers the Master’s Program in Economics which consists of 12 courses to be completed across three terms. The program teaches skills in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics.
Iowa State University
At Iowa State University, students complete a total of 30 credits to receive the Master of Economics or Agricultural Economics. There is a thesis and non-thesis track with concentrations in finance, industrial organization, human resources, agricultural marketing and agricultural policy.
Florida State University
Florida State University has a one-year program students can take to get a Masters in Applied Economics. This program is made up of 30 credit hours and has class sizes at around 25 students each.
Claremont Graduate University
A Master in Economics from Claremont Graduate University is focused on teaching problem-solving skills and advances in empirical research. The program provides practice-based scholarship based on the scientific method. Overall, this is a 12 to 18 month program with courses starting in fall, spring and summer.
Baylor University
At Baylor University, students can seek a Master of Science in Economics. This program is made up of 30 credit hours or 36 credit hours, depending if students want to go through the thesis or non-thesis track.
University of Houston
The University of Houston offers a Master in Applied Economics that is a 12-month master’s program. It trains students in critical thinking, regression analysis, data management, trend monitoring and problem solving.
University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut offers the Masters of Science in Quantitative Economics. This is a three-semester course with a calculus-based program focused on econometrics, forecasting, empirical finance and more.
University of Wisconsin – Madison
The University of Wisconsin, Madison, offers the Wisconsin Economic master’s program. This program may be completed in two years, so long as students complete two spring and two fall semesters.
University of Arizona
The Master of Economics at the University of Arizona requires 30 hours of completed coursework. The program requires 24 core courses and two 600-level elective courses. Students study courses such as dynamic economic analysis and microeconomics.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University offers a Master of Arts in Applied Economics. The course is divided into two parts, the first during the fall term with four courses in data analysis, econometrics, microeconomics and macroeconomics. The second half is split into the spring and summer terms.
University of Delaware
The University of Delaware offers a Master of Science in Economics and Applied Econometrics. This degree focuses on practical economics, developing an understanding of statistical inference, mathematics and economic theory. The full program consists of 30 credit hours.
George Washington University
The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., offers an MA in Applied Economics. This degree program prepares students to work in a data-driven world. Full- or part-time students are welcome, and there is an option to enroll in a graduate certificate program at the same time (in one of 10 fields). There is also the opportunity to prepare for the Certified Business Economist professional certification during the master program.
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
The M.S. degree in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota prepares students to work in the private and public sector. The program is made up of 30 credit hours and teaches micro and macroeconomic theory.
Ranking Specifications and Methods This article reviews 15 schools that offer masters of economics. These schools are ranked first by the total tuition for graduate, in-state students. Then, they are ranked based on total enrollment. The combined results are added together and ranked, with the school with the most points at the top of our list. Every effort has been made to make sure the information listed here is accurate, but it is subject to change and cannot be guaranteed. Wondering about Your School’s Ranking? If you work at one of the schools above and are concerned about a mistake or misrepresented information, please reach out so that we can correct this article. If you would like to have your school ranked, we would also be interested in speaking with you.
