2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Connecticut
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
For return on investment in economics, no school beat Central Connecticut State University this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $41,910. That is a strong return on a $25,237 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $52,227. Set against $22,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yale University earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $82,617. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wesleyan University earned it the #4 place for economics. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,042. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Hartford came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,648. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Connecticut College came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Students borrow a median of $25,206 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $62,732 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,206 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Trinity College generally make around $71,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity College admits about 29% of applicants.
Quinnipiac University landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Quinnipiac University earn a median of $48,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sacred Heart University placed #9 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Sacred Heart University generally make around $62,864. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Fairfield University came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $58,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,500. Economics graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $74,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 15 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
