by our College Data Analytics Team
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value economics schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $6,617 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $103,993. That is a strong return on a $6,617 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #2 place for economics. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,925. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $80,888. That is a strong return on a $12,925 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,662 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $90,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Southern Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $49,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
Bowdoin College landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $75,867. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University landed the #7 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,237. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,910. Set against $25,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine earned the #8 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,984 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $46,159. Set against $22,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Bridgewater State University earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,682. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,994. Economics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $46,523 early in their careers. Set against $26,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut came in at #11 for value in economics this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $22,907 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,227. That is a strong return on a $22,907 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College placed #12 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,190 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $86,367. Set against $11,190 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island placed #13 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Colby College placed #14 among the best values for economics. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $76,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,309. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #16 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Middlebury College landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,600. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $85,879. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #18 for value in economics this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Students borrow a median of $25,897 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $54,328. Set against $25,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Vermont came in at #19 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,875. Early-career economics graduates make about $38,452. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University placed #20 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Brown University earn a median of $72,064 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College earned the #21 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Smith College earn a median of $71,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Yale University earned the #22 position for value in economics this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $82,617. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #23 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,733. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Dartmouth College earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,400. Economics graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $94,675 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Wesleyan University placed #25 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in economics:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.