Best Schools for Business/Managerial Economics

Business/Managerial Economics graduates earn a median of $49,013 within two years of graduation, ranking #77 out of 292 tracked majors — 38% above the median across all fields. There are 93 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 4,236 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Villanova University graduates earn $90,856 while Sam Houston State University graduates earn $29,685 — a $61,171 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Business/Managerial Economics graduates see an average 6% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

93
Schools
$49,013
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#77
of 292 Majors
4,236
Graduates

Public vs Private: Business/Managerial Economics

Public (65 schools)
$45,749
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (27 schools)
$56,409
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $10,660 more in early earnings on average for Business/Managerial Economics graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Business/Managerial Economics by State

Top Business/Managerial Economics Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
V

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private

$90,856
2yr Earnings
1yr: $70,687
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 25.1%
#2
L

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA · Private

$73,446
2yr Earnings
1yr: $61,418
Grads: 28
Acceptance: 29.3%
#3
P

Pace University

New York, NY · Private

$72,325
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 77.1%
#4
B

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

$70,456
2yr Earnings
1yr: $63,484
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 69.2%
#5
U

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private

$69,338
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,619
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 46.8%
#6
S

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private

$69,338
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 43.8%
#7
U

University of California-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public

$68,219
2yr Earnings
1yr: $65,881
Grads: 101
Acceptance: 8.7%
#8
J

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public

$64,493
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.3%
#9
S

Seattle University

Seattle, WA · Private

$63,749
2yr Earnings
1yr: $50,594
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 76.0%
#10
M

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH · Public

$61,728
2yr Earnings
1yr: $58,704
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 82.1%
#11
A

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$61,516
2yr Earnings
1yr: $55,719
Grads: 30
Acceptance: N/A
#12
U

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ · Public

$60,771
2yr Earnings
1yr: $48,350
Grads: 41
Acceptance: 85.7%
#13
B

Bentley University

Waltham, MA · Private

$58,221
2yr Earnings
1yr: $58,138
Grads: 39
Acceptance: 48.4%
#14
D

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$57,860
2yr Earnings
1yr: $56,409
Grads: 47
Acceptance: 73.5%
#15
O

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA · Public

$57,556
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,763
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 90.5%
#16
V

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, VA · Public

$57,318
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 57.0%
#17
M

Marquette University

Milwaukee, WI · Private

$57,318
2yr Earnings
1yr: $54,582
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 87.4%
#18
U

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH · Private

$56,415
2yr Earnings
1yr: $54,059
Grads: 48
Acceptance: 61.7%
#19
N

Nichols College

Dudley, MA · Private

$55,964
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.1%
#20
U

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public

$55,964
2yr Earnings
1yr: $52,227
Grads: 85
Acceptance: 61.5%
#21
S

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ · Private

$55,914
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,921
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 78.9%
#22
U

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public

$55,512
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 74.0%
#23
K

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA · Public

$55,512
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,893
Grads: 20
Acceptance: 69.2%
#24
L

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$55,061
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,505
Grads: 67
Acceptance: 81.4%
#25
O

Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public

$54,880
2yr Earnings
1yr: $56,544
Grads: 92
Acceptance: 50.8%
#26
U

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

$53,894
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,322
Grads: 67
Acceptance: 37.2%
#27
W

Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA · Private

$53,775
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,792
Grads: 58
Acceptance: 79.9%
#28
U

University of Miami

Coral Gables, FL · Private

$52,941
2yr Earnings
1yr: $60,274
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 18.5%
#29
G

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA · Public

$52,941
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 16.5%
#30
T

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public

$52,733
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,909
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 75.8%
#31
C

Chapman University

Orange, CA · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
1yr: $55,212
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 55.6%
#32
A

Albertus Magnus College

New Haven, CT · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 64.4%
#33
U

University of California-Davis

Davis, CA · Public

$51,750
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,453
Grads: 486
Acceptance: 41.6%
#34
U

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public

$51,607
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,826
Grads: 249
Acceptance: 62.5%
#35
U

University of North Texas

Denton, TX · Public

$51,482
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,987
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 72.5%
#36
W

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public

$51,482
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,890
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 86.3%
#37
N

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public

$50,856
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,220
Grads: 43
Acceptance: 39.9%
#38
W

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, PA · Public

$50,856
2yr Earnings
1yr: $53,396
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 79.2%
#39
N

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public

$49,683
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 96.0%
#40
C

Capital University

Columbus, OH · Private

$49,683
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,207
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 73.2%
#41
B

Baylor University

Waco, TX · Private

$49,644
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,522
Grads: 47
Acceptance: 51.0%
#42
B

Boise State University

Boise, ID · Public

$49,436
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.0%
#43
G

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public

$49,084
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,277
Grads: 69
Acceptance: 94.7%
#44
W

Wheaton College

Wheaton, IL · Private

$48,667
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,492
Grads: 60
Acceptance: 90.0%
#45
N

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ · Public

$48,432
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,070
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 91.0%
#46
G

Georgia State University

Atlanta, GA · Public

$48,041
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,916
Grads: 72
Acceptance: 62.3%
#47
U

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL · Public

$47,846
2yr Earnings
1yr: $46,221
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 62.3%
#48
S

Stephen F Austin State University

Nacogdoches, TX · Public

$47,260
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 88.3%
#49
H

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,328
Grads: 75
Acceptance: 50.1%
#50
T

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$46,673
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,499
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 89.5%

Showing top 50 of 93 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Business/Managerial Economics?
Villanova University ranks #1 for Business/Managerial Economics with median graduate earnings of $90,856 within two years. There are 93 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Business/Managerial Economics graduates earn?
Business/Managerial Economics graduates earn an average of $49,013 within two years of graduation. This is 38% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $29,685 to $90,856 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Business/Managerial Economics program?
The average acceptance rate across Business/Managerial Economics programs is 70.9%. The most selective program is at University of California-Los Angeles with a 8.7% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Business/Managerial Economics?
Private Business/Managerial Economics programs average $56,409 in early earnings vs $45,749 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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