2027 Best Value International Economics Schools
[International Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/international-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international economics students.
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Finding the Best Value International Economics School for You
Where you study international economics affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value International Economics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value International Economics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value International Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Economics Schools
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among international economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $15,000. Early-career international economics graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. International Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $51,192. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international economics will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,166 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
A rank of #4 makes Weber State University one of the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in international economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $13,197. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $13,197 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University came in at #6 for value in international economics this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $50,690. Set against $25,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #7 for value in international economics this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $25,656. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Set against $25,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia came in at #8 for value in international economics this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $39,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Albion College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of Albion College earn a median of $40,829 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #10 among the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,017 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $50,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #11 position for value in international economics this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. International Economics graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Georgia State University landed the #12 spot for international economics value this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. International Economics graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $49,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for international economics. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $44,292. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Trinity University came in at #14 for value in international economics this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $20,500. Early-career international economics graduates make about $57,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity University admits about 26% of applicants.
Rhodes College came in at #15 for value in international economics this year. Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $57,814. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #16 among the best values for international economics. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. International Economics graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. International Economics graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $60,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #17 position for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $22,020 in student loans. International Economics graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #18 spot for international economics value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,540. International Economics graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. International Economics graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $60,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University placed #20 among the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $75,236. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University placed #21 among the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $54,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Salve Regina University placed #22 among the best values for international economics. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,100. International Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Salve Regina University generally make around $56,636. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Georgetown University placed #23 among the best values for international economics. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. International Economics graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Elon University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. International Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International Economics graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
American University placed #25 among the best values for international economics. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from American University generally make around $72,527. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
