2026 Best Value Economics Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for economics in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,843 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. That is a strong return on a $15,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $45,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,791 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $28,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Economics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Davidson College came in at #7 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $70,785. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Winston Salem State University came in at #8 for value in economics this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,653. Economics graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $25,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $46,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Wake Forest University came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,927 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $56,416. That is a strong return on a $20,927 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $98,649. That is a strong return on a $13,437 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Economics graduates of Elon University earn a median of $69,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
