2026 Best Value General Economics Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,851 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for general economics. 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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #3 place for general economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General Economics graduates carry a median of $7,300 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,556. Set against $7,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. 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. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

5

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the best values for general economics. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $60,797. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

7

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. 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. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #8 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. 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 Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

10

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,690 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. Set against $19,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

12

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $48,632. Set against $25,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #13 among the best values for general economics. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $16,924. General Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

14

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #14 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

15

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,754. General Economics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,228 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $58,921 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,228 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. General Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #19 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

20

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #20 for value in general economics this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,673. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

21

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,617. Early-career general economics graduates make about $95,207. Set against $6,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

22

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #23 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,500. General Economics graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.

24

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,097. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,097 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

25

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #25 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,820. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.