by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 154 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for economics in California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $8,098. Economics graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #3. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #4. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #5 place for economics. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
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Oxnard College earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Economics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #8 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Canada College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #10 for value in economics this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Economics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Saddleback College placed #13 among the best values for economics. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College came in at #14 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College placed #16 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $7,234. Early-career economics graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #18 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College landed the #19 spot for economics value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Folsom Lake College placed #20 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
De Anza College landed the #21 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #22 position for value in economics this year. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
American River College ranked #23 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Sacramento City College earned the #25 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics value ranking:
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This ranking is produced 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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.