by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 937 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in economics, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Economics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
El Camino Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
De Anza College came in at #6 for value in economics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Economics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oxnard College came in at #8 for value in economics this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
American River College landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Economics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Saddleback College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #14 among the best values for economics. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Sierra College came in at #16 for value in economics this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,733. Economics graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #18 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Economics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #19 for value in economics this year. 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. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santa Monica College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #21 for value in economics this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $6,999. Economics graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #22 for value in economics this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,191. Early-career economics graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #23 among the best values for economics. 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, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Canada College landed the #25 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics value ranking:
Explore the best-value economics schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 937 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.