2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools
[Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for development economics & international development students.
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Finding the Best Value Development Economics & International Development School for You
Where you study development economics & international development affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Development Economics & International Development 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.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in development economics & international development, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools
Leading the list is Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, our #1 best value for development economics & international development in the United States. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for development economics & international development. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in development economics & international development will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $62,091. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for development economics & international development. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,700. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $59,187. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College earned the #6 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Williams College earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $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.
University Of Arizona ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,610 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $47,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #9 spot for development economics & international development 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. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Swarthmore College landed the #10 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $66,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
The University Of Montana ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for development economics & international development. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $66,237 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Vermont landed the #13 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $38,452. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #14 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $22,500. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $56,261. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University earned the #15 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $57,482. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Trinity University admits about 26% of applicants.
Emory University came in at #16 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,280. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $21,000. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $70,446. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Auburn University came in at #17 for value in development economics & international development this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $22,803. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Covenant College landed the #18 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,040. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $23,700. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Covenant College generally make around $37,404. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Covenant College admits about 86% of applicants.
Brown University came in at #19 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Boston University landed the #20 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #21 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,782 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $50,529. That is a strong return on a $25,782 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #22 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $24,600 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $60,323. That is a strong return on a $24,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Dayton ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $34,671. Set against $22,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Northeastern University earned the #24 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $70,531. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #25 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $84,967. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in development economics & international development:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
