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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the Far Western Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$14,167 Avg Student Debt
$97,178 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Badge [Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong development economics & international development education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for development economics & international development students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the Far Western Region

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

1

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for development economics & international development in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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.

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for development economics & international development. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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