2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,349. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $65,344. Set against $15,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #3 place for economics. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,323. Early-career economics graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for economics. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,948 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,925 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,519. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

7

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,314. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

8

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

9

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #10 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,111. Economics graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $48,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

11

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,754 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,344. That is a strong return on a $12,754 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

12

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,924 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $49,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

13

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Economics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #15 for value in economics this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,977. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

16

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $53,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

17

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #17 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,673. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

18

University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Asheville, NC

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #18 among the best values for economics. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $18,791 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $28,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

19

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University placed #19 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Economics graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $45,446 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.

20

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #20 for value in economics this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,444. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

21

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #21 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

22

Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College landed the #22 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $70,785. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.

23

Winston Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University landed the #23 spot for economics value this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,653. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $25,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

24

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,424. Early-career economics graduates make about $84,311. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

25

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University landed the #25 spot for economics value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,425. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.