2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

For return on investment in economics, no school beat Rice University this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $78,814. Set against $11,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

2

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

A rank of #2 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,694. 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 acceptance rate is 94%.

4

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $50,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

5

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #5 place for economics. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,312. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

6

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,619 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,316. That is a strong return on a $23,619 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $46,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

8

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,748 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,034. That is a strong return on a $20,748 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

9

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #9 for value in economics this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,717 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $43,064 early in their careers. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

10

Blinn College
Brenham, TX

Blinn College placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $16,465. Economics graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.

11

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #11 for value in economics this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $68,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

12

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

13

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #13 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,292. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

14

Hardin Simmons University
Abilene, TX

Hardin Simmons University landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,674. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University came in at #15 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. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.

16

University Of Dallas
Irving, TX

University Of Dallas ranked #16 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. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,752 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,732. Set against $24,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

17

Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University earned the #17 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,613 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,975. Economics graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $54,462 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.

19

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University earned the #19 position for value in economics this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 63%.

20

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University landed the #20 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.