2026 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Far Western Region
[Business/Managerial Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business/managerial economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business/managerial economics students.
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2026 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business/managerial economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Irvine, our #1 best value for business/managerial economics in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $44,277. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $18,329 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $38,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in business/managerial economics will find it at University Of California Santa Cruz, which ranked #3. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Business/managerial Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $52,029 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Ashford University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Students borrow a median of $36,551 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $66,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmont College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business/managerial economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, Westmont College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,584. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $25,000. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $54,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Seattle University came in at #6 for value in business/managerial economics this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $22,289. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $63,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Chapman University placed #7 among the best values for business/managerial economics. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $64,984 in tuition and fees. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $22,977 in student loans. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $54,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Santa Clara University landed the #8 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
