2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Wisconsin

[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Wisconsin
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Economics Schools
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $21,698 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,595. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. General Economics graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $64,223. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $44,327. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,344. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,718 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
More General Economics Rankings
View All General Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.