2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Leading the list is Austin Community College District, our #1 best value for general economics in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,519. General Economics graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Rice University
Houston, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rice University earned it the #2 place for general economics. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $78,814. That is a strong return on a $11,289 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

4

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $16,430 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,778. That is a strong return on a $16,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston placed #7 among the best values for general economics. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,820. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas placed #8 among the best values for general economics. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,619. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $51,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,610. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,748. General Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $47,034 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,748 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

11

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,717. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,064. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $68,794. That is a strong return on a $21,125 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

14

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for general economics. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $43,656. That is a strong return on a $18,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

15

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,294 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

16

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in general economics this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $44,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

17

Hardin Simmons University
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University earned the #17 position for value in general economics this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $32,960. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $50,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $57,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Dallas
Irving, TX

University Of Dallas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $55,732. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

20

Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,613. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwestern University admits about 43% of applicants.

21

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University placed #21 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.

22

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $71,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.