2027 Best Value Applied Economics Schools
[Applied Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/applied-economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied economics students.
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Finding the Best Value Applied Economics School for You
The right applied economics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Applied Economics Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools
For return on investment in applied economics, no school beat University Of California Los Angeles this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Florida State University one of the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $17,625. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $60,948. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $14,166. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of $53,934 early in their careers. Set against $14,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #4 place for applied economics. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Portland State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $24,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Set against $24,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Vanderbilt University placed #7 among the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $84,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #8 among the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $50,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University placed #9 among the best values for applied economics. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $15,250. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $60,472. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #10 spot for applied economics value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,698 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,698 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #11 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $27,981. Applied Economics graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #12 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $41,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Arizona ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #15 among the best values for applied economics. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,017 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #16 among the best values for applied economics. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $19,793 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,793 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota earned the #17 position for value in applied economics this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #18 position for value in applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University landed the #19 spot for applied economics value this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $23,849. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $45,708. Set against $23,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #21 for value in applied economics this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $19,919 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,919 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #22 spot for applied economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Applied Economics graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #23 spot for applied economics value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $52,309. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value applied economics schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for applied economics value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $52,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Applied Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s applied 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
