[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/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.
College Factual analyzed 459 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
The right economics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Economics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Economics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $103,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes West Valley College one of the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Economics graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at De Anza College earned it the #4 place for economics. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,728 early in their careers. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
College Of The Canyons landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #7 for value in economics this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $15,851. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,349. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #8 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #9 for value in economics this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Economics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Economics graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cerritos College earned the #10 position for value in economics this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,306. Economics graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,580 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Diablo Valley College landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #13 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cuny City College landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $7,300. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,556. Set against $7,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Oxnard College came in at #15 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
California State University Fullerton came in at #16 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $39,993. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College placed #17 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #18 position for value in economics this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $17,223. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #20 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. Set against $15,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Moorpark College earned the #21 position for value in economics this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #22 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $8,978. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #23 among the best values for economics. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Santa Ana College came in at #25 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for economics this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 459 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 459 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).
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/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.
