2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the Far Western Region
[Applied Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/applied-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for applied economics students.
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2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 best value for applied economics in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the applied economics program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.
A rank of #2 makes Portland State University one of the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $24,949. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value applied economics schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $18,017 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Oregon State University one of the best values for applied economics. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,849 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $45,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
