2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for economics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,250. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,758 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

3

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for economics. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,097 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $68,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

6

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,494. Economics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $89,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,494 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, 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. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

9

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

10

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

11

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

12

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,213. Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

13

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University came in at #13 for value in economics this year. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,340. Economics graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

14

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #14 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,261 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $55,905. Set against $25,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

15

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,969. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.

16

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $43,227. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

17

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College placed #17 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $76,944. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

18

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,838 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,910. Set against $18,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

19

Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,824. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $48,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

20

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $39,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,920 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #22 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,550. Economics graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $44,349 early in their careers. Set against $21,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

23

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

24

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,363. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

25

St Marys College Of Maryland
St. Mary's City, MD

St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #25 position for value in economics this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Students borrow a median of $24,946 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.