2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Master’s Degree Schools

1

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Our analysis ranked Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus the best value for a degree in development economics & international development in the United States. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #2 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for development economics & international development. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in development economics & international development will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $62,091. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, 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. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

6

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College came in at #6 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $80,888. Set against $12,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #7 among the best values for development economics & international development. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $47,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #8 for value in development economics & international development this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $12,424. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

9

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $19,750. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $85,818. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

10

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #10 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. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $69,551. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.

11

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #11 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

12

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #12 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $50,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #14 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $75,976. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

15

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University came in at #15 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. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $70,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

16

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University earned the #16 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $25,295 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $69,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in development economics & international development this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $60,796 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

18

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #18 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.

19

American University
Washington, DC

American University placed #19 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $86,903. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.