2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Georgia
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
Our analysis ranked Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus the best value for a degree in economics in Georgia. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,323. Early-career economics graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,924 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,725. That is a strong return on a $16,924 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of West Georgia one of the best values for economics. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $39,899. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Georgia State University, which ranked #4. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,058. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oglethorpe University earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,590. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Oglethorpe University generally make around $34,113. Set against $26,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $32,463 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Emory University landed the #7 spot for economics value this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $70,446. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Covenant College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,040. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Covenant College earn a median of $37,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Covenant College admits about 86% of applicants.
Morehouse College placed #9 among the best values for economics. Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,893. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Morehouse College earn a median of $40,726 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Spelman College landed the #10 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,556. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $59,907. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Spelman College admits about 25% of applicants.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
