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2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid

29 Ranked Colleges
618 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 618 people earned their degree in applied economics, making the major the 534th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in applied economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality applied economics programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Applied Economics Schools

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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 Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for applied economics students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics (With Aid)

1

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 32 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for applied economics students with aid.

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 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at University of California - Los Angeles

2

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 65 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for U-M is $14,878 for Applied Economics students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Applied Economics Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 73 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for applied economics students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Applied Economics Report

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $9,946 for Applied Economics students with aid per year to attend Florida State.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Florida State University Applied Economics Report

5
Binghamton University crest
Binghamton University
Vestal, New York

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Binghamton University landed the #5 spot on the list. Binghamton University is a public institution located in Vestal, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 112 ’s 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. It costs about $20,703 for Applied Economics students with aid per year to attend Binghamton University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 92%.

Read more about Applied Economics at Binghamton University

6
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Applied Economics students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Applied Economics at Virginia Tech

7
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

With a ranking of #7, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $19,970 for applied economics students with aid per year to attend Vanderbilt.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, 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 96%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Vanderbilt University

8
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 5 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $13,358 for Applied Economics students with aid.

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

Read more about Applied Economics at University of Arizona

9
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, UH has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,721 for Applied Economics students with aid per year to attend University of Houston.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, 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 University of Houston Applied Economics Report

10

Utah State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. USU is a public institution located in Logan, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, USU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,257 for Applied Economics students with aid per year to attend Utah State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Applied Economics at Utah State University

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNI, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for applied economics students with aid per year to attend UNI.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full UNI Applied Economics Report

12
University at Buffalo crest
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

University at Buffalo landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 2 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, University at Buffalo has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University at Buffalo is $19,262 for Applied Economics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Applied Economics at University at Buffalo

13
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Georgetown is located in Washington, District of Columbia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, Georgetown has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $32,108 for Applied Economics students with aid per year to attend Georgetown.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Georgetown University

14
SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale crest
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York

Farmingdale State College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Farmingdale, New York, this medium-sized public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Farmingdale State College is $9,002 for applied economics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Read more about Applied Economics at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale

15
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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. It costs about $14,581 for applied economics students with aid per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Read more about Applied Economics at St. Cloud State University

16
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Eastern Michigan is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our applied economics students with aid list, Eastern Michigan has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for applied economics students with aid.

Read full report on Applied Economics at Eastern Michigan University

17
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Carnegie Mellon University is a fairly large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 18 ’s applied economics degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for Carnegie Mellon is $36,775 for Applied Economics students with aid.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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

18
Buffalo State crest
Buffalo State
Buffalo, New York

With a ranking of #18, Buffalo State did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Buffalo State is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Buffalo State is $13,785 for applied economics students with aid.

Read more about Applied Economics at Buffalo State

19

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 6 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $18,558 for applied economics students with aid.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Applied Economics Report

20
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

With a ranking of #20, Oregon State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Corvallis, Oregon, this large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.

Oregon State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Oregon State is $21,508 for applied economics students with aid.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Oregon State Applied Economics Report

21
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

With a ranking of #21, Georgia Southern University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Statesboro, Georgia, and it awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

GaSou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Southern University is $15,571 for applied economics students with aid.

Full Georgia Southern University Applied Economics Report

22
URI crest
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kingston, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

URI also took the #21 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend URI is $18,638 for Applied Economics students with aid.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Rhode Island Applied Economics Report

23
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid 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 also took the #22 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $17,814 for applied economics students with aid per year to attend St. Kate’s.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 more about Applied Economics at St Catherine University

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMass Boston is $17,752 for Applied Economics students with aid.

Read more about Applied Economics at University of Massachusetts - Boston

25

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, and it awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCO is $17,339 for Applied Economics students with aid.

Full UCO Applied Economics Report

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