2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Arkansas

[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
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2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Arkansas
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 University Of Central Arkansas the best value for a degree in general economics in Arkansas. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $19,835 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $41,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Arkansas one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,019 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $52,555 early in their careers. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Hendrix College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Conway, Hendrix College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,200 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Hendrix College earn a median of $40,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.