[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 937 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Economics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $103,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for economics. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,758 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. 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%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,000. 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.
Cuny City College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,556. Set against $7,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. 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. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,750. Early-career economics graduates make about $33,709. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Stanford University placed #10 among the best values for economics. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,500. Economics graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $98,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #11 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,213. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,258. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus placed #12 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,815. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #14 for value in economics this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $32,877. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #15 among the best values for economics. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,000. Economics graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $35,628 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,110 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,502. That is a strong return on a $16,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $38,475. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #18 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Rice University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $78,814. Set against $11,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #20 among the best values for economics. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $37,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $17,625. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $47,304. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,843 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
California State University Channel Islands ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,159, while out-of-state students pay about $19,759. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $16,997. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from California State University Channel Islands generally make around $57,440. That is a strong return on a $16,997 median debt. California State University Channel Islands admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $51,192. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #25 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics value ranking:
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 384 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).
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
