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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value International Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$21,099 Avg Student Debt
$96,650 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value International Economics Badge [International Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/international-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for international economics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value International Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in international economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value International Economics Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Carnegie Mellon University the best value for a degree in international economics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $22,020. Early-career international economics graduates make about $89,327. That is a strong return on a $22,020 median debt. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Washington University earned it the #2 place for international economics. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. International Economics graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $75,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 47%.

3
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

A rank of #3 makes Georgetown University one of the best values for international economics. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,632 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.

4
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

A rank of #4 makes American University one of the best values for international economics. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of American University earn a median of $72,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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