2026 Best Value Applied Economics Master’s Degree Schools

1

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University tops our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools in the United States. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $74,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

3

Utah State University
Logan, UT

A rank of #3 makes Utah State University one of the best values for applied economics. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #4 place for applied economics. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $68,416. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

5

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $19,500. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $50,820 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

6

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #6 for value in applied economics this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $19,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #7 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $18,017. Applied Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #8 among the best values for applied economics. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $56,395. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

9

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #9 spot for applied economics value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

10

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. 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. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $27,981. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

11

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $25,110. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

12

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #12 spot for applied economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

13

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for applied economics. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

14

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton came in at #14 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $54,883. Set against $19,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut landed the #15 spot for applied economics value this year. 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. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $22,907. 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. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #16 spot for applied economics value this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $52,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

17

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,724 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

19

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #19 among the best values for applied economics. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $22,433. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Set against $22,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

20

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines earned the #20 position for value in applied economics this year. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $76,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

21

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #21 position for value in applied economics this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $16,500. Applied Economics graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

22

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University landed the #22 spot for applied economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.