2023 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics (Income $0-$30k)
29
Ranked Colleges
618
Degrees Awarded
$10,800
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 618 people earned their degree in applied economics, making the major the 534th most popular in the United States.
This year’s “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in applied economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality applied economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the applied economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The applied economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k”.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics (Income $0-$30k)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.
Vanderbilt did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $3,176 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Vanderbilt University
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 65 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $2,670 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgetown University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Georgetown is a large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 24 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Georgetown has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown is $3,077 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Georgetown University
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $9,037 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at UCLA
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 73 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $7,698 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full UMN Twin Cities Applied Economics Report
With a ranking of #6, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Carnegie Mellon University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,456 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Carnegie Mellon University
With a ranking of #7, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,950 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State University.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Florida State University
Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech also took the #7 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Virginia Tech
University of Arizona ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Arizona has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $8,987 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Arizona
Binghamton University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Binghamton University is a public institution located in Vestal, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 112 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Binghamton University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Binghamton University is $13,380 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.
Full Binghamton University Applied Economics Report
University of Northern Iowa landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNI is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 22 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $10,513 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Northern Iowa
University of Houston did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 20 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $10,533 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UH.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Applied Economics at UH
Utah State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, USU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USU is $9,148 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Utah State University
University at Buffalo landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University at Buffalo is a large public school situated in Buffalo, New York. It awarded 2 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University at Buffalo, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,098 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University at Buffalo.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at University at Buffalo
Farmingdale State College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Farmingdale, New York, this medium-sized public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Farmingdale State College is $3,335 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Farmingdale State College
Saint Cloud State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $10,348 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Applied Economics Report
Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large school located in Ypsilanti, Michigan that handed out 4 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $12,465 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Applied Economics at Eastern Michigan
With a ranking of #18, Marquette University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Marquette has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $18,589 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marquette.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Marquette
Buffalo State ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Buffalo, New York, this medium-sized public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Buffalo State is $10,484 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Buffalo State Applied Economics Report
Oregon State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oregon State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oregon State is $15,242 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Oregon State University
With a ranking of #21, University of Rhode Island did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. URI is a fairly large school located in Kingston, Rhode Island that handed out 4 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
URI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $12,175 for Applied Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend URI.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Rhode Island
Georgia Southern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Georgia Southern University is located in Statesboro, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GaSou, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GaSou is $12,637 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Applied Economics at GaSou
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. BGSU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 6 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at BGSU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,079 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend BGSU.
Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Applied Economics Report
With a ranking of #24, St Catherine University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
St. Kate’s also took the #22 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St Catherine University is $14,391 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full St. Kate’s Applied Economics Report
Ithaca College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ithaca is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Ithaca, New York. It awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Ithaca did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Ithaca is $20,679 for applied economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Ithaca Applied Economics Report
