by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 937 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
What’s on this page:
The economics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Economics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Economics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,776. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
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Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
De Anza College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the economics program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Princeton University earned the #8 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $103,041. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of Florida landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Hunter College placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Orange Coast College came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #13 position for value in economics this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Oxnard College came in at #14 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
American River College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Diablo Valley College came in at #16 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College earned the #18 position for value in economics this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College earned the #19 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Economics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #20 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Grossmont College landed the #21 spot for economics value this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Cuny City College placed #22 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College earned the #23 position for value in economics this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $39,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Sierra College came in at #24 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Economics graduates of Sierra College earn a median of $29,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College came in at #25 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for economics this year:
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These schools also placed among the best values for economics this year:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Merced College | Merced, CA | Full Report |
| #52 | California State University Channel Islands | Camarillo, CA | Full Report |
| #53 | Rice University | Houston, TX | Full Report |
| #54 | Mission College | Santa Clara, CA | Full Report |
| #55 | University Of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA | Full Report |
| #57 | Chabot College | Hayward, CA | Full Report |
| #58 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA | Full Report |
| #59 | Imperial Valley College | Imperial, CA | Full Report |
| #60 | California State University Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #61 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY | Full Report |
| #62 | Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | Full Report |
A few more high-value economics schools worth a look:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Economics. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 16,825 |
| Economics, General | 16,758 |
| Applied Economics | 326 |
| Development Economics and International Development | 227 |
| International Economics | 224 |
| Economics, Other | 143 |
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 · 937 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 407 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.