2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Florida

[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 21 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Florida
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 Florida the best value for a degree in general economics in Florida. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,851 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,111. General Economics graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $48,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general economics. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $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. General Economics graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $47,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of North Florida placed #6 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $41,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Ave Maria University landed the #8 spot for general economics value this year. Ave Maria University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ave Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,198. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Ave Maria University generally make around $40,866. That is a strong return on a $19,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Rollins College landed the #9 spot for general economics value this year. Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. In-state tuition and fees average $60,580. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Rollins College earn a median of $36,115 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tampa earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,408. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,284. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Miami ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $42,129. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
More General Economics Rankings
View All General Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.