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2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools

33 Colleges in the United States
$21,181 Avg Student Debt
$74,747 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Badge [Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for development economics & international development students.

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Finding the Best Value Development Economics & International Development School for You

The development economics & international development program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

See how we build our rankings

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Bachelor's Degrees in Development Economics & International Development
Master's Degrees in Development Economics & International Development

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2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in development economics & international development, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus the best value for a degree in development economics & international development in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for development economics & international development. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $15,000. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $62,091. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in development economics & international development will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

4
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #4 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for development economics & international development. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University placed #6 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Set against $12,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

7

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for development economics & international development. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $20,750. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

9
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $12,925. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $80,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

10

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in development economics & international development this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $54,076. That is a strong return on a $25,153 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Arizona landed the #11 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

Cleveland State University landed the #12 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $44,759. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

13

The University Of Montana came in at #13 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

14
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $38,452. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

15

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $66,237. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

16
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University placed #16 among the best values for development economics & international development. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,676. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $57,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.

17
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University earned the #17 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

18
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

19
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University placed #19 among the best values for development economics & international development. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $72,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

20

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #20 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $22,500. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $56,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

21

Seattle Pacific University earned the #21 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $26,835. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $41,502. Set against $26,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cornell University landed the #22 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $84,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

23
Covenant College crest
Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GA

Covenant College placed #23 among the best values for development economics & international development. Located in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,040. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $23,700. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $37,404. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Covenant College admits about 86% of applicants.

24

University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #24 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,600. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $60,323. That is a strong return on a $24,600 median debt. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.

25

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #25 among the best values for development economics & international development. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $50,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for development economics & international development this year:

26
27
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
28
29
30
31
32
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
33
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

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Development Economics & International Development is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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 · 33 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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