[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 813 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,758 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,851. General Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,851 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $39,993. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $7,300. General Economics graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $45,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,500. General Economics graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $39,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $100,827. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Stanislaus landed the #11 spot for general economics value this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $51,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $32,877 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Fresno earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. General Economics graduates carry a median of $16,110 in student loans. General Economics graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $49,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Northridge came in at #14 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $35,628. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #15 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #16 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $37,679. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #17 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $38,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #18 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $78,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
California State University Channel Islands placed #19 among the best values for general economics. Set in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Students borrow a median of $16,997 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $57,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,843. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. Set against $15,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #23 spot for general economics value this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $16,520. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #25 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 268 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).
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
