2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
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
For return on investment in business economics, no school beat University Of Central Florida 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, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,105 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $47,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for business economics. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #3 place for business economics. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. 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%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at Louisiana Tech University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,846. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% 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. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $22,419 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $53,094. Set against $22,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Valdosta State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate earned the #8 position for value in business economics this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $39,473. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. University Of South Carolina Upstate admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Memphis came in at #9 for value in business economics this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career business economics graduates make about $37,534. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $27,174. Business Economics graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,272 early in their careers. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Troy University earned the #11 position for value in business economics this year. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $46,723. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #12 for value in business economics this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $43,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Francis Marion University landed the #13 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,544. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $41,456. Set against $30,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University came in at #15 for value in business economics this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Appalachian State University placed #16 among the best values for business economics. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #17 among the best values for business economics. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $60,369. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Georgia State University earned the #18 position for value in business economics this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of West Georgia landed the #19 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Kentucky ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $51,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Louisville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $17,250. Business Economics graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $48,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University landed the #23 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $51,932. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University came in at #24 for value in business economics this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,580 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $39,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best values for business economics. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $44,025 early in their careers. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Business Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s business economics value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
