2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Massachusetts

1

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for general economics in Massachusetts. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA

Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,682. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,994 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $46,523. That is a strong return on a $26,994 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #4 place for general economics. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. 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. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

6

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 21%.

7

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #7 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $55,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

8

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

9

Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,303. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

10

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $51,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $74,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

12

College Of The Holy Cross
Worcester, MA

College Of The Holy Cross landed the #12 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of College Of The Holy Cross earn a median of $69,288 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 18%.

13

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $73,083. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.