2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
University Of Southern Maine earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Maine. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,173. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Maine, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,984. Economics graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $46,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Bowdoin College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $75,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colby College earned it the #4 place for economics. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $76,401. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Bates College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,590. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $71,187. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 13% 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
