2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools

1

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #1 spot for value among applied economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,948 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for applied economics. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $15,000. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

3

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #3 place for applied economics. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $19,528. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

4

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $60,472. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $19,690. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $68,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston placed #6 among the best values for applied economics. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $50,820. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

7

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in applied economics this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

8

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #8 among the best values for applied economics. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $24,949. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $47,717. Set against $24,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University placed #9 among the best values for applied economics. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $22,054. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $56,782. Set against $22,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #10 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $21,698. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,908 early in their careers. Set against $19,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #12 position for value in applied economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $18,017. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Set against $18,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

13

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #13 for value in applied economics this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $41,547. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

14

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University earned the #15 position for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $84,311. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

16

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #16 for value in applied economics this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $19,793 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

17

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota came in at #17 for value in applied economics this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

18

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #18 position for value in applied economics this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

19

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #19 position for value in applied economics this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $23,849 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $45,708 early in their careers. Set against $23,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

21

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $20,225. Applied Economics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island earned the #22 position for value in applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

23

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton earned the #23 position for value in applied economics this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,919 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,919 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

24

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,864. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

25

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut placed #25 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $22,907 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $52,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,907 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.