2026 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
[Business/Managerial Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 81 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 Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business/managerial economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Central Florida the best value for a degree in business/managerial economics 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. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $23,105. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $47,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes West Virginia University one of the best values for business/managerial economics. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned it the #4 place for business/managerial economics. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $23,324. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #5 makes Louisiana Tech University one of the best values for business/managerial economics. 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, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,846 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $49,261. Set against $23,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #6 position for value in business/managerial economics this year. 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, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $22,419. Business/managerial Economics graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,094 early in their careers. Set against $22,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Valdosta State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of South Carolina Upstate landed the #8 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,588, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $28,000. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $39,473. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Memphis came in at #9 for value in business/managerial economics 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $37,534. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #10 position for value in business/managerial economics this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $27,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Troy University landed the #11 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #12 for value in business/managerial economics this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial 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. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Francis Marion University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,170, with out-of-state students paying around $21,544. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $30,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $41,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #14 among the best values for business/managerial economics. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business/managerial economics schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $23,969. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $47,383. Set against $23,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Appalachian State University landed the #16 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #17 position for value in business/managerial economics this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $60,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #18 position for value in business/managerial economics this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Business/managerial Economics graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $49,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of West Georgia landed the #19 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $46,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky earned the #20 position for value in business/managerial economics this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $51,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Arkansas came in at #21 for value in business/managerial economics this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #22 spot for business/managerial economics value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for business/managerial economics graduates is $17,250. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $48,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #23 for value in business/managerial economics this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Business/managerial Economics graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career business/managerial economics graduates make about $51,932. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University placed #24 among the best values for business/managerial economics. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Students borrow a median of $29,580 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $39,233. That is a strong return on a $29,580 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #25 among the best values for business/managerial economics. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,847 to complete the business/managerial economics program here. Soon after graduation, business/managerial economics degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $44,025. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s business/managerial economics value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
