2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 154 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in general economics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,758 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #4. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,097. General Economics graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Johns Hopkins University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,494. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $89,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny City College earned the #7 position 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #8 position for value in general economics this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. General Economics graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. 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. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College placed #10 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,213. 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.
Frostburg State University came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Delaware landed the #12 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,261 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $55,905. Set against $25,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Saint Peters College earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $50,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #14 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,520 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University placed #15 among the best values for general economics. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,838 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Swarthmore College landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $76,944. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Montclair State University earned the #17 position for value in general economics this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,375. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #18 for value in general economics this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,920. General Economics graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $54,859 early in their careers. Set against $21,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #19 position for value in general economics this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,550 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $44,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Students borrow a median of $24,946 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #23 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $41,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #24 spot for general economics value this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $28,281. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $43,148. Set against $28,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #25 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $24,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
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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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
