2027 Best Value Business Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for business economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business Economics Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for business economics in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $57,909. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for business economics. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $18,329 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $38,967. That is a strong return on a $18,329 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,105. Business Economics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,648 early in their careers. Set against $23,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $18,246. Business Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $44,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,246 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Georgia came in at #6 for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $22,419. Business Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,419 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #7 for value in business economics this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $44,277 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,846. Business Economics graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #10 for value in business economics this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $16,063 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $53,984. That is a strong return on a $16,063 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #11 position for value in business economics this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $75,227. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #12 among the best values for business economics. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $55,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming earned the #13 position for value in business economics this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #14 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Students borrow a median of $23,786 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $48,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $23,448 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,278. Set against $23,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University placed #16 among the best values for business economics. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,021 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,379. Set against $23,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,588, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $28,000. Early-career business economics graduates make about $39,473. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,373 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. Set against $24,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Texas came in at #19 for value in business economics this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $54,058. Set against $14,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #20 for value in business economics this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $51,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #21 spot for business economics value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $21,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $56,114. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Virginia University came in at #22 for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $51,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #23 among the best values for business economics. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,250. Business Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $43,826 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Idaho ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $44,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #25 for value in business economics this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $61,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in business economics:
Other Business Economics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value business economics schools at other degree levels:
View All Business Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 77 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
