2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 253 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business economics students.
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Finding the Best Value Business Economics School for You
Where you study business economics affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Business Economics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Business Economics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in business economics in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $57,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $18,329 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $38,967. Set against $18,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $58,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Irvine came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $44,277 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,105 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,648 early in their careers. Set against $23,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,419 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,094 early in their careers. Set against $22,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #7 among the best values for business economics. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $75,227. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #8 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $24,499. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #9 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #10 spot for business economics value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #11 position for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,246 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $50,289. Set against $18,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #12 for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,324. Early-career business economics graduates make about $50,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
West Virginia University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,742. Business Economics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #14 for value in business economics this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,846. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,261. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $14,125. Business Economics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $54,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,125 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University earned the #16 position for value in business economics this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,448 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $23,448 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $39,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
Valdosta State University placed #18 among the best values for business economics. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #19 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $21,375. Business Economics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $56,114 early in their careers. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #20 for value in business economics this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #21 position for value in business economics this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,000. Business Economics graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $44,655 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana landed the #22 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $17,608 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Universidad Metropolitana generally make around $38,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Carolina University landed the #23 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #24 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $43,826. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Troy University came in at #25 for value in business economics this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,439. Early-career business economics graduates make about $46,723. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for business economics this year:
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Business Economics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 253 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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.
