by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the economics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes West Valley College one of the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at De Anza College earned it the #3 place for economics. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cerritos College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,306. Early-career economics graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,205. Early-career economics graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #8 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Oxnard College landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Skyline College landed the #10 spot for economics value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #11 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. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mission College earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,438, while out-of-state students pay about $12,500. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Economics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #14 position for value in economics this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $8,978. Economics graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,692. Economics graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #17 position for value in economics this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Economics graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #18 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the economics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Canada College placed #20 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Economics graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Economics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #22 among the best values for economics. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Foothill College landed the #23 spot for economics value this year. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,595. Economics graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Las Positas College came in at #25 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, while out-of-state students pay about $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in economics:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Economics rankings across degree levels:
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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.