2027 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for business economics students.
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2027 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business Economics Schools
University Of Central Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $47,648. Set against $23,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Business Economics graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $49,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of New Orleans one of the best values for business economics. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Business Economics graduates carry a median of $23,048 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #5. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,419 to complete the business economics program here. 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.
University Of South Carolina Upstate came in at #6 for value in business economics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,090. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $28,000. Business Economics graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $39,473 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University landed the #10 spot for business economics value this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,742. 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University earned the #11 position for value in business economics this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $29,580. Early-career business economics graduates make about $39,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #12 position for value in business economics this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,250. Business Economics graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $60,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University came in at #13 for value in business economics this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #14 among the best values for business economics. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for business economics. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $22,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,489 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $45,060. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Mississippi State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Students borrow a median of $23,969 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $47,383 early in their careers. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Louisville came in at #17 for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $17,250. Business Economics graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $48,050 early in their careers. Set against $17,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #18 spot for business economics value this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Wofford College came in at #19 for value in business economics this year. Set in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,005. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $24,643. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Wofford College generally make around $48,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #20 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $20,500. Early-career business economics graduates make about $51,081. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Greensboro College came in at #21 for value in business economics this year. Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $42,816. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #22 spot for business economics value this year. Located in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $62,903 early in their careers. Set against $24,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Alabama At Huntsville admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #23 position for value in business economics this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $26,162. Business Economics graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $55,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value business economics schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $44,025. That is a strong return on a $23,847 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #25 position for value in business economics this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $22,374 to complete the business economics program here. Soon after graduation, business economics degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $42,491. Set against $22,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Business Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s business economics value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
