2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Oregon
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
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2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Portland State University tops our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools in Oregon. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oregon State University earned it the #2 place for general economics. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,849 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $45,708 early in their careers. Set against $23,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Willamette University earned it the #3 place for general economics. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,156. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants.
Lewis And Clark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,828. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,246 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,576. That is a strong return on a $25,246 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
More General Economics Rankings
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
