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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Arkansas

2 Colleges in the United States
$23,618 Avg Student Debt
$54,835 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Economics Badge [Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Arkansas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Economics Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Central Arkansas the best value for a degree in economics in Arkansas. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,835. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $41,919. Set against $19,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.

2
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Arkansas, which ranked #2. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. Set against $24,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.

3
Hendrix College crest
Hendrix College
Conway, AR

Hendrix College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Conway, Hendrix College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,200. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $40,445. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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