2027 Best Value Applied Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Applied Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/applied-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for applied economics students.
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2027 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools
University Of California Los Angeles tops our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools in the United States. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $15,000. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $63,833. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for applied economics. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $17,625. Applied Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $47,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $14,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $53,934. That is a strong return on a $14,166 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $50,374. That is a strong return on a $19,528 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Portland State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,949 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,949 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #7 spot for applied economics value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #8 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $60,472. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for applied economics. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $50,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #10 spot for applied economics value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $21,698 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $45,767. Set against $21,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for applied economics value this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $41,547. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #12 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $21,500. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $56,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Arizona earned the #13 position for value in applied economics this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $19,610 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,610 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $18,017. Applied Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #15 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $19,793 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $44,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $23,321. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University came in at #17 for value in applied economics this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,849 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $45,708. Set against $23,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #18 position for value in applied economics this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,403. Set against $20,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #19 position for value in applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,919 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $48,120. Set against $19,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island placed #20 among the best values for applied economics. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $43,444. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #21 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $52,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #23 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $56,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $22,907 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $52,227 early in their careers. Set against $22,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Ursinus College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,061 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Ursinus College generally make around $52,496. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Applied Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s applied economics value ranking:
Other Applied Economics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value applied economics schools at other degree levels:
View All Applied Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
