by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value business economics schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Allegheny College the best value for a degree in business economics in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,962. Early-career business economics graduates make about $34,175. That is a strong return on a $26,962 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at Lehigh University, which ranked #3. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,240 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $81,796. Set against $23,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.