2023 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics
29
Ranked Colleges
618
Degrees Awarded
$18,300
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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” 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” 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the applied economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The applied economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Applied Economics Schools”.
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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Applied Economics Schools.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Applied Economics
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Applied Economics Schools. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
UNI also took the #14 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,438 for Applied Economics students per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Northern Iowa Applied Economics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Houston. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 20 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,721 for applied economics students 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UH Applied Economics Report
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Marquette University landed the #3 spot on the list. Marquette University is a fairly large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 13 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Marquette also took the #11 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $30,380 for Applied Economics students per year to attend Marquette.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Marquette
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Saint Cloud State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for applied economics students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at Saint Cloud State University
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Applied Economics Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $15,023 for applied economics students.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 full report on Applied Economics at UCLA
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 73 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Applied Economics students.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Utah State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. This large school is located in Logan, Utah, and it awarded 4 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
USU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USU is $13,257 for Applied Economics students.
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%.
Read more about Applied Economics at USU
Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s applied economics students in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech also took 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 a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Applied Economics at Virginia Tech
Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking, coming in at #9. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 24 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, Florida State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $9,946 for applied economics students.
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 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Applied Economics at Florida State
Binghamton University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. This fairly large school is located in Vestal, New York, and it awarded 112 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, Binghamton University has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $20,703 for applied economics students 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Applied Economics at Binghamton University
With a ranking of #11, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 6 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, BGSU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $18,558 for applied economics students per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.
Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Applied Economics Report
University at Buffalo came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. This large school is located in Buffalo, New York, and it awarded 2 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
University at Buffalo also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $19,262 for applied economics students per year to attend University at Buffalo.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Full University at Buffalo Applied Economics Report
Georgia Southern University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. GaSou is a public institution located in Statesboro, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
GaSou also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #25. The yearly cost to attend GaSou is $15,571 for applied economics students.
Full Georgia Southern University Applied Economics Report
Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking, coming in at #14. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 4 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan is $15,127 for Applied Economics students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Eastern Michigan
University of Arizona ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, University of Arizona has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $13,358 for applied economics students.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Arizona
University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking, coming in at #16. Edmond, Oklahoma is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s applied economics degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UCO is $17,339 for Applied Economics students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Central Oklahoma
Oregon State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools 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 also took the #20 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $21,508 for applied economics students per year to attend Oregon State.
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 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Oregon State University
University of Rhode Island came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. URI is a fairly large school located in Kingston, Rhode Island that handed out 4 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
URI also made our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $18,638 for Applied Economics students 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 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%.
Read full report on Applied Economics at URI
Southern Methodist University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Dallas, Texas. It awarded 10 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our applied economics students list, SMU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $38,208 for applied economics students per year to attend SMU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Applied Economics at SMU
Farmingdale State College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. Farmingdale State College is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmingdale, New York. It awarded 24 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Farmingdale State College is $9,002 for Applied Economics students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale
Buffalo State landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. 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 yearly cost to attend Buffalo State is $13,785 for applied economics students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at Buffalo State
St Catherine University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. St. Kate’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 ’s 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. The yearly cost to attend St. Kate’s is $17,814 for applied economics students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Applied Economics at St Catherine University
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 65 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M also took the #5 spot in our “Best Applied Economics Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,878 for Applied Economics students 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Full U-M Applied Economics Report
University of Massachusetts - Boston landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools ranking. UMass Boston is a fairly large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 7 ’s applied economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Boston is $17,752 for Applied Economics students.
Read full report on Applied Economics at University of Massachusetts - Boston
With a ranking of #25, Ithaca College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Applied Economics Schools list. Ithaca College is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s applied economics degrees to qualified students.
Ithaca not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Applied Economics Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ithaca is $34,554 for applied economics students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Ithaca College Applied Economics Report
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