2026 Best Value Business Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 253 schools to find the best return on investment for business economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
For return on investment in business economics, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. 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, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $57,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for business economics. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $18,329 in student loans. Business Economics graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $38,967 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,329 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $44,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Georgia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $22,419. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,094. That is a strong return on a $22,419 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #6 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. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $75,227. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #8 position for value in business economics this year. 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. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $19,819. Early-career business economics graduates make about $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. 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. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. 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 $18,246 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $44,424. Set against $18,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga placed #11 among the best values for business economics. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,324. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,742. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Set against $23,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #13 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Texas landed the #14 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $14,125 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $54,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Upstate placed #16 among the best values for business economics. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Upstate generally make around $39,473. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University came in at #17 for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #18 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $56,114. Set against $21,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,000. Business Economics graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $44,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Universidad Metropolitana earned the #20 position for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,608 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $38,577. Set against $17,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #21 position for value in business economics this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $38,272. Set against $27,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $43,826. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Troy University came in at #23 for value in business economics this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,439. Business Economics graduates of Troy University earn a median of $46,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #24 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career business economics graduates make about $37,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #25 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $16,063 in student loans. Early-career business economics graduates make about $53,984. Set against $16,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s business economics value ranking:
Other Business Economics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Business Economics rankings across degree levels:
View All Business Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 253 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
