2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

For return on investment in economics, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $78,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place for economics. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

4

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

A rank of #4 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for economics. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,026. Economics graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $16,430 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,778. Set against $16,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #7 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,820. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

8

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,619 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $51,316 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,619 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

9

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,908. Set against $19,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #10 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,416. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $69,613. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

12

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,717 in student loans. Economics graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $43,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

13

Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $16,465. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.

14

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,748 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

15

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $18,450 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,656. That is a strong return on a $18,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

16

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #16 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,125. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $68,794. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

17

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $64,294. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

19

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #19 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $44,292. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

20

Hardin Simmons University
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University landed the #20 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,960. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,674. Economics graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $50,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University earned the #21 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Trinity University earn a median of $57,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity University admits about 26% of applicants.

22

University Of Dallas
Irving, TX

University Of Dallas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Irving, University Of Dallas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,930. Students borrow a median of $24,752 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Dallas generally make around $55,732. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dallas admits about 53% of applicants.

23

Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University came in at #23 for value in economics this year. Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Georgetown. In-state tuition and fees average $53,613. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,975. Early-career economics graduates make about $36,990. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

24

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.

25

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University earned the #25 position for value in economics this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $71,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.