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2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

29 Ranked Colleges
618 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Applied Economics is the 534th most popular major in the country with 618 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in applied economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great applied economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the applied economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics (Income $48-$75k)

1
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 2 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $7,694 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Vanderbilt University

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 65 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,481 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend U-M.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Applied Economics at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Georgetown University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k list, Georgetown has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Georgetown is $12,505 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Georgetown

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 32 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $12,644 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UCLA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Applied Economics at University of California - Los Angeles

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 73 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Twin Cities is $12,911 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at UMN Twin Cities

6
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon University is $21,526 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Applied Economics Report

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 24 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $11,506 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Florida State

8
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 5 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Arizona also took the #10 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $13,644 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of Arizona Applied Economics Report

9
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 20 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UH also took the #15 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,382 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UH.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at UH

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 18 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $18,372 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Virginia Tech

11

With a ranking of #11, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Utah State University is located in Logan, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Utah State University is $13,553 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Utah State University Applied Economics Report

12
Binghamton University crest
Binghamton University
Vestal, New York

Binghamton University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Vestal, New York, and it awarded 112 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Binghamton University, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Binghamton University is $21,423 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Applied Economics at Binghamton University

13

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 22 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $15,287 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UNI Applied Economics Report

14
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,140 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Applied Economics at Saint Cloud State University

15
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $14,547 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Eastern Michigan University.

Full Eastern Michigan Applied Economics Report

16
SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale crest
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York

Farmingdale State College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Farmingdale, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Farmingdale State College is $10,914 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Farmingdale State College Applied Economics Report

17
University at Buffalo crest
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

University at Buffalo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Buffalo, New York, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

University at Buffalo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University at Buffalo is $20,841 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Applied Economics at University at Buffalo

18
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 4 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Kate’s not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $15,942 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend St Catherine University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full St Catherine University Applied Economics Report

19

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bowling Green, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $18,606 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Full BGSU Applied Economics Report

20
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Statesboro, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

GaSou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend GaSou is $16,181 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Applied Economics at GaSou

21
URI crest
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Kingston, Rhode Island, this fairly large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

URI also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $18,131 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend URI.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Applied Economics at University of Rhode Island

22
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oregon State University is a large school located in Corvallis, Oregon that handed out 7 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Oregon State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oregon State University is $21,716 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Oregon State University

23
Marquette crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Marquette University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Marquette is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 13 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Marquette also took the #11 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marquette is $25,377 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Marquette

24
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

Buffalo State did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Buffalo State is a medium-sized public school situated in Buffalo, New York. It awarded 8 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,154 for applied economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Buffalo State.

Full Buffalo State Applied Economics Report

25

University of Massachusetts - Boston landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UMass Boston is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston is $17,689 for Applied Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Applied Economics at UMass Boston

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