2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the New England Region

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in general economics in the New England Region. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Southern Maine
Portland, ME

University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $49,173. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.

3

Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,237 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $41,910. That is a strong return on a $25,237 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine earned it the #4 place for general economics. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. General Economics graduates carry a median of $22,984 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $46,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,984 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

5

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

A rank of #5 makes Bridgewater State University one of the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $43,682 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.

6

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,994. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,523. Set against $26,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,907 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $52,227 early in their careers. Set against $22,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.

8

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $43,444. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.

9

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $41,910. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #10 among the best values for general economics. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $52,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $38,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

12

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #12 for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,897. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.

13

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #13 among the best values for general economics. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $71,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

14

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College placed #14 among the best values for general economics. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,400 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,400 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.

15

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #15 spot for general economics value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,500. General Economics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $55,733 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

16

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $34,023. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,648 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. That is a strong return on a $25,648 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College landed the #18 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,370. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Stonehill College generally make around $53,303. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

19

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

20

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $51,698 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

21

Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

Southern New Hampshire University placed #21 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $63,199. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

22

Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,242. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,206. Early-career general economics graduates make about $62,732. That is a strong return on a $25,206 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.

23

Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College placed #23 among the best values for general economics. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Students from in state pay about $70,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $71,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

24

College Of The Holy Cross
Worcester, MA

College Of The Holy Cross earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,500 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $69,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.

25

Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT

Quinnipiac University placed #25 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.