2026 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Irvine the best value for a degree in business economics in the Far Western Region. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,329 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $38,967. That is a strong return on a $18,329 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the best values for business economics. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $52,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ashford University earned it the #4 place for business economics. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Students borrow a median of $36,551 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $66,360. That is a strong return on a $36,551 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Westmont College one of the best values for business economics. Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,584. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Westmont College generally make around $54,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westmont College admits about 77% of applicants.
Seattle University landed the #6 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Chapman University landed the #7 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,977 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $54,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,977 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value business economics schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $20,144. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
[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.
