2023 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics (Income $30-$48k)
29
Ranked Colleges
618
Degrees Awarded
$12,200
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 618 people earned their degree in applied economics, making the major the 534th most popular in the United States.
For this year’s “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer a degree in applied economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality applied economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the applied economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 $30-$48k”.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics (Income $30-$48k)
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt University is $4,652 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Vanderbilt
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k 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 public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $5,670 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend U-M.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on 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 $30-$48k list. Georgetown University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 24 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $9,871 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Georgetown.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Georgetown University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.
UCLA also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,891 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
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 $30-$48k. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $8,609 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Carnegie Mellon is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.
Carnegie Mellon also took the #3 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon is $13,608 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Carnegie Mellon
Florida State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 24 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
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. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $7,349 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Florida State University Applied Economics Report
University of Arizona landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
University of Arizona also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $10,160 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arizona.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Arizona
Virginia Tech ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 18 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $14,003 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Virginia Tech
University of Houston came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UH has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UH is $10,664 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UH Applied Economics Report
Binghamton University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Binghamton University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,323 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Binghamton University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Binghamton University
University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $13,175 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Applied Economics at UNI
Farmingdale State College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Farmingdale, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is $6,411 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale
With a ranking of #14, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Utah State University is $9,821 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Applied Economics at Utah State University
University at Buffalo came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Buffalo, New York, and 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 $17,022 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University at Buffalo.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. 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 University at Buffalo
Saint Cloud State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a public institution located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $10,825 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St. Cloud State University.
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%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Saint Cloud State University
With a ranking of #17, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Eastern Michigan University is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan also took the #19 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,265 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Eastern Michigan University
Oregon State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Oregon State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oregon State University is $17,173 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Oregon State
With a ranking of #19, Buffalo State did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 8 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,992 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Buffalo State.
Full Buffalo State Applied Economics Report
University of Rhode Island did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Kingston, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at URI, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,601 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend URI.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 URI
Marquette University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
Marquette also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Marquette University is $21,378 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Marquette University
Georgia Southern University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. GaSou is a large public school situated in Statesboro, Georgia. It awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
GaSou also took the #25 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Southern University is $13,653 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Georgia Southern University Applied Economics Report
With a ranking of #23, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bowling Green, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.
BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,822 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
With a ranking of #24, University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMass Boston is a fairly large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 7 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UMass Boston is $14,230 for Applied Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Applied Economics at UMass Boston
St Catherine University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $30-$48k 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. It costs about $15,209 for applied economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend St Catherine University.
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 Catherine University Applied Economics Report
