2026 Best Value Applied Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Leading the list is Florida State University, our #1 best value for applied economics in the United States. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $47,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

4

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $60,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

5

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #6 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $50,820. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

7

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for applied economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

8

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University came in at #8 for value in applied economics this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University earned the #9 position for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $21,698 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Set against $21,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #11 for value in applied economics this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $47,908. 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 landed the #12 spot for applied economics value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $18,017 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,017 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

13

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo placed #13 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 73%.

14

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot for applied economics value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $56,902. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

15

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

16

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #16 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. 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

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University came in at #17 for value in applied economics this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $27,981. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $48,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $44,085. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

19

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University earned the #19 position for value in applied economics this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $23,849. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $45,708. That is a strong return on a $23,849 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

20

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #20 spot for applied economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island came in at #21 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton placed #22 among the best values for applied economics. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $19,919 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $48,120. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

23

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for applied economics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. 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. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

24

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut came in at #24 for value in applied economics this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $22,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $52,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.

25

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #25 spot for applied economics value this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $52,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.