University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs for each degree type.
The simple definition of the field of economics is the study of wealth production, consumption, and transfer. In professional terms, there are few degrees offering more job flexibility in the financial field than a master’s degree in economics. While a master’s degree in this field is not the highest degree available, it is one that can result in a lucrative and rewarding career.
Economics involves the analysis of large amounts of data to evaluate and monitor economic trends. This information is used to develop forecasts regarding various economic issues including inflation, employment taxes, and business cycles. Economists usually specialize in particular areas, known as concentrations.
Featured Online Programs
Requirements of a Master’s Degree?
A master’s degree is a graduate degree economics program. In order to pursue this advanced degree, the candidate must generally have completed a bachelor’s economics program first. The bachelor’s degree does not necessarily have to be in the same field as the potential master’s degree, but the candidate must meet all prerequisites of any economics degree program they choose to enter. That may mean taking additional classes in order to achieve eligibility for a master’s economics program.
A master’s degree in economics generally requires students to complete between 30 and 36 credit hours. If enrolled full-time, that works out to about nine credit hours per semester. Most students can complete a master’s degree in economics within two years, including online students. Some economics programs are designed for completion within 12 to 18 months such as an online master's in economics degree.
There are also combined undergraduate and master’s economics degrees, in which the student may complete this combined economics program to receive a bachelor’s and master’s degree in their field in five years. For those wishing to pursue a further advanced degree, there are also joint master’s and PhD programs. A master’s in economics also usually requires writing a thesis to obtain the degree. There are some non-thesis degrees available, but these require additional economics program coursework.
Top 20 Best Online Masters in Economics
Johns Hopkins University
Score: 92.84
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $62,840
- Out-of-State:$62,840
- Net Price: $24,034
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 94%
- Total Enrollment: 31,275
- Undergrad Students: 6,044
- Graduate Students: 25,231
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 6:1
Purdue University
Score: 84.72
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State:$28,520
- Net Price: $12,576
- Acceptance Rate: 53%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Total Enrollment: 51,528
- Undergrad Students: 38,593
- Graduate Students: 12,935
- Grads Salary: $83,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Boston College
Score: 82.64
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,784
- Out-of-State:$35,784
- Net Price: $30,559
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 95%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 15,287
- Undergrad Students: 9,982
- Graduate Students: 5,305
- Grads Salary: $85,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Northeastern University
Score: 80.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,728
- Out-of-State:$27,728
- Net Price: $35,827
- Acceptance Rate: 7%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 30,013
- Undergrad Students: 16,302
- Graduate Students: 13,711
- Grads Salary: $87,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Detroit Mercy
Score: 78.33
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,250
- Out-of-State:$22,250
- Net Price: $18,197
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 73%
- Total Enrollment: 5,360
- Undergrad Students: 3,156
- Graduate Students: 2,204
- Grads Salary: $84,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
George Mason University
Score: 75.31
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,726
- Out-of-State:$35,677
- Net Price: $18,479
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 71%
- Total Enrollment: 39,049
- Undergrad Students: 27,014
- Graduate Students: 12,035
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of Arizona
Score: 74.24
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,718
- Out-of-State:$32,290
- Net Price: $17,075
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 49,403
- Undergrad Students: 38,751
- Graduate Students: 10,652
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of Missouri-Columbia
Score: 72.28
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,000
- Out-of-State:$30,000
- Net Price: $19,889
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 89%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 31,304
- Undergrad Students: 23,745
- Graduate Students: 7,559
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
West Virginia University
Score: 71.95
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,908
- Out-of-State:$28,260
- Net Price: $12,202
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 24,741
- Undergrad Students: 19,059
- Graduate Students: 5,682
- Grads Salary: $75,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
New Mexico State University
Score: 70.39
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,181
- Out-of-State:$18,023
- Net Price: $10,407
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 14,268
- Undergrad Students: 11,591
- Graduate Students: 2,677
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Penn State World Campus
Score: 70.02
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $24,406
- Out-of-State:$24,406
- Net Price: $19,551
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 13,979
- Undergrad Students: 8,210
- Graduate Students: 5,769
- Grads Salary: $94,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
University of North Dakota
Score: 69.73
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,963
- Out-of-State:$17,944
- Net Price: $17,359
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 79%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 13,876
- Undergrad Students: 9,928
- Graduate Students: 3,948
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Murray State University
Score: 69.18
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,414
- Out-of-State:$9,414
- Net Price: $11,042
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 9,479
- Undergrad Students: 7,679
- Graduate Students: 1,800
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
American University
Score: 68.83
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,224
- Out-of-State:$32,224
- Net Price: $41,369
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 79%
- Total Enrollment: 13,885
- Undergrad Students: 7,917
- Graduate Students: 5,968
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Score: 66.35
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,375
- Out-of-State:$19,505
- Net Price: $10,979
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 17,978
- Undergrad Students: 14,198
- Graduate Students: 3,780
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Youngstown State University
Score: 66.04
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,547
- Out-of-State:$6,727
- Net Price: $11,900
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 11,071
- Undergrad Students: 8,822
- Graduate Students: 2,249
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
West Texas A&M University
Score: 64.33
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,088
- Out-of-State:$6,378
- Net Price: $17,001
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 9,242
- Undergrad Students: 6,901
- Graduate Students: 2,341
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Georgia Southern University
Score: 61.96
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,986
- Out-of-State:$19,890
- Net Price: $15,352
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 25,481
- Undergrad Students: 21,979
- Graduate Students: 3,502
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Score: 61.26
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,280
- Out-of-State:$17,339
- Net Price: $8,208
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 7,666
- Undergrad Students: 5,643
- Graduate Students: 2,023
- Grads Salary: $56,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
SUNY Empire State University
Score: 59.68
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,310
- Out-of-State:$23,790
- Net Price: $9,704
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 59%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 9,407
- Undergrad Students: 7,735
- Graduate Students: 1,672
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
