Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 25 colleges offering Economics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,459 recent graduates. Graduates in Pennsylvania earn $52,202 on average within two years — 8% above the national average of $48,479, making the state one of the stronger markets for this field.

School choice matters significantly: Swarthmore College graduates earn $81,702 while East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania graduates earn $36,848 — a $44,854 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in PA

$52,202

PA Avg. Earnings

$48,479

National Avg.

413

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Economics in Pennsylvania

Public Schools (7)

$42,961

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (18)

$55,796

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $12,835 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Economics Schools in Pennsylvania, Ranked by Earnings

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, PA · Private

$81,702

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,029

Graduates: 41

Acceptance: 6.9%

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$77,087

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,198

Graduates: 92

Acceptance: 5.9%

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA · Private

$69,338

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $78,188

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 11.4%

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$65,387

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,175

Graduates: 52

Acceptance: 77.5%

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$59,485

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,373

Graduates: 110

Acceptance: 25.1%

Lafayette College

Easton, PA · Private

$58,943

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,927

Graduates: 59

Acceptance: 31.5%

Franklin and Marshall College

Lancaster, PA · Private

$55,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,376

Graduates: 39

Acceptance: 31.8%

Gettysburg College

Gettysburg, PA · Private

$55,964

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $52,365

Graduates: 65

Acceptance: 47.5%

Bucknell University

Lewisburg, PA · Private

$55,102

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,041

Graduates: 96

Acceptance: 32.0%

#10

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA · Private

$54,644

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,684

Graduates: 20

Acceptance: 64.0%

#11

Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$52,941

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $47,999

Graduates: 24

Acceptance: 86.4%

#12

Dickinson College

Carlisle, PA · Private

$50,320

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,684

Graduates: 42

Acceptance: 43.1%

#13

Temple University

Philadelphia, PA · Public

$50,060

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,791

Graduates: 97

Acceptance: 82.9%

#14

Ursinus College

Collegeville, PA · Private

$47,650

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $46,186

Graduates: 74

Acceptance: 87.4%

#15

University of Scranton

Scranton, PA · Private

Washington & Jefferson College

Washington, PA · Private

$46,087

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $43,356

Graduates: 33

Acceptance: 81.5%

#17

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, PA · Public

$43,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $41,359

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 89.4%

#18

University of Pittsburgh-Bradford

Bradford, PA · Public

$43,479

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,278

Graduates: 144

Acceptance: 90.8%

#19

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$43,479

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,278

Graduates: 144

Acceptance: 95.9%

#20

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$43,479

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $39,278

Graduates: 144

Acceptance: 49.7%

#21

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, PA · Private

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,047

Graduates: 26

Acceptance: 74.5%

#22

Lycoming College

Williamsport, PA · Private

Allegheny College

Meadville, PA · Private

$41,087

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,405

Graduates: 62

Acceptance: 58.5%

#24

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$39,585

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,263

Graduates: 18

Acceptance: 91.2%

#25

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, PA · Public

$36,848

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 92.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Economics in Pennsylvania?

Swarthmore College ranks #1 for Economics in Pennsylvania with median graduate earnings of $81,702 within two years of graduation. There are 25 schools offering Economics programs in the state.

How much do Economics graduates earn in Pennsylvania?

Economics graduates in Pennsylvania earn an average of $52,202 within two years of graduation. This is 8% above the national average of $48,479 for this major.

What is the hardest Economics school to get into in Pennsylvania?

University of Pennsylvania is the most selective Economics program in Pennsylvania with an acceptance rate of 5.9%. The average acceptance rate across Economics programs in the state is 60.4%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Economics in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, private Economics programs produce average earnings of $55,796 vs $42,961 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 7 public and 18 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Pennsylvania

Computer Science $80,288 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other $75,470 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $75,030 Industrial Engineering $72,729 Business/Managerial Economics $71,719 Materials Engineering $71,420 Chemical Engineering $71,371 Computer Engineering $71,016

All colleges in Pennsylvania →

Economics in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.