by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 813 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
The right general economics school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value General Economics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Economics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general economics in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for general economics. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,728 early in their careers. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
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De Anza College earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. General Economics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #7 among the best values for general economics. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Cuny Hunter College landed the #8 spot for general economics value this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Florida placed #9 among the best values for general economics. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,349. That is a strong return on a $15,851 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Oxnard College earned the #11 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Orange Coast College came in at #12 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton came in at #13 for value in general economics this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $39,993. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,098. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
American River College landed the #15 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Diablo Valley College placed #16 among the best values for general economics. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Saddleback College came in at #18 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #19 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #20 spot for general economics value this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College came in at #21 for value in general economics this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General Economics graduates carry a median of $7,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,377. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #23 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
West Valley College placed #25 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,308. Early-career general economics graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general economics:
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Also worth considering for value in general economics:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Chabot College | Hayward, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | Mission College | Santa Clara, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | California State University Channel Islands | Camarillo, CA | Full Report |
| #54 | University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | Full Report |
| #55 | University Of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Full Report |
| #57 | Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | Full Report |
General Economics is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 813 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 284 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.