2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for economics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,250. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $103,041. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,758 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for economics. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,097 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $68,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. 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.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,494. Economics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $89,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,494 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. 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, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,213. Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Frostburg State University came in at #13 for value in economics this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,340. Economics graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Delaware came in at #14 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $55,905. Set against $25,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Saint Peters College landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,969. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $43,227. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Swarthmore College placed #17 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $76,944. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,838 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,910. Set against $18,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,824. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $48,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Montclair State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $39,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,920 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stony Brook University placed #22 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,550. Economics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $44,349 early in their careers. Set against $21,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,363. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #25 position for value in economics this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Students borrow a median of $24,946 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in economics:
Narrow Economics Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 90 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
