2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Georgia

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in Georgia. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of West Georgia, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Georgia State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $28,500. General Economics graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Oglethorpe University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,590. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Oglethorpe University generally make around $34,113. That is a strong return on a $26,800 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $32,463. Early-career general economics graduates make about $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Emory University placed #6 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Covenant College landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,040. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,700. General Economics graduates of Covenant College earn a median of $37,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Morehouse College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Atlanta, Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,893. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $40,726. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Spelman College came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,556. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Spelman College generally make around $40,217. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 25% 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. 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.