by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 374 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Princeton University tops our 2027 list of the best value economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,250. 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.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,349. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for economics. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,303. Early-career economics graduates make about $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #5 place for economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $7,300. Economics graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $45,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $65,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,750. Early-career economics graduates make about $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #11 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,377. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #13 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,877. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #15 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $37,679. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #16 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $35,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #17 position for value in economics this year. 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. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $62,091. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #18 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $16,110 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $49,502. Set against $16,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #19 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,312. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #20 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $47,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #21 position for value in economics this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #22 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,690. Early-career economics graduates make about $68,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,166. Economics graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $53,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,166 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
California State University East Bay earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #25 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,813. Economics graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $51,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for economics this year:
The following schools rounded out the strongest economics values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign | Champaign, IL | Full Report |
| #52 | Portland State University | Portland, OR | Full Report |
| #53 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | Full Report |
| #54 | University Of California Davis | Davis, CA | Full Report |
| #55 | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY | Full Report |
| #56 | University Of California Merced | Merced, CA | Full Report |
| #57 | University Of Colorado Denver | Denver, CO | Full Report |
A few more high-value economics schools worth a look:
Explore the best-value economics schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 374 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 374 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
