2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis tops our 2026 list of the best value economics schools in Indiana. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $18,711 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,443. That is a strong return on a $18,711 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,216. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,187. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $59,142. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #5 place for economics. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. Set against $22,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,724. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,987. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Wabash College placed #7 among the best values for economics. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. Students from in state pay about $50,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Wabash College generally make around $51,815. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Depauw University placed #8 among the best values for economics. Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greencastle. In-state tuition and fees average $59,070. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $63,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depauw University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame placed #9 among the best values for economics. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,965. Economics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $76,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,965 median debt. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Butler University landed the #10 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $68,222. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[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.
