2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 140 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
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2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general economics in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,851 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,349. That is a strong return on a $15,851 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,843. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. That is a strong return on a $15,843 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general economics. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,925 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $47,351. That is a strong return on a $22,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $41,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Florida International University one of the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,111 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #8 for value in general economics this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $47,344. Set against $12,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. General Economics graduates carry a median of $16,924 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #10 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, 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. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,750. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,743. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,977. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,857. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,791 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $28,301 early in their careers. Set against $18,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,446. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for general economics. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $22,444 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,876. That is a strong return on a $22,444 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Winston Salem State University came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,653 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $25,653 early in their careers. Set against $27,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,375. General Economics graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $46,425 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville earned the #22 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,910. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $58,534. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,650 in student loans. General Economics graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $46,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,650 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $39,899. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,835. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,919. Set against $19,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general economics this year:
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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 · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
