2026 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

For return on investment in development economics & international development, no school beat Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. 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. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in development economics & international development will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $15,000. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #4 spot 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. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $62,091. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

5

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for development economics & international development. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

6

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College earned the #6 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $80,888. That is a strong return on a $12,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

7

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

8

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #8 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $19,610 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,908 early in their careers. Set against $19,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #9 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. 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. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.

10

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College came in at #10 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $19,500. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $66,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

11

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana placed #11 among the best values for development economics & international development. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,342. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12

University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont ranked #12 on our 2026 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, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $38,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #13 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

14

Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University landed the #14 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.

15

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University came in at #15 for value in development economics & international development this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $21,000. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Emory University earn a median of $71,340 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.

16

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #16 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $22,803. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

17

Covenant College
Lookout Mountain, GA

Covenant College came in at #17 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,040. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $37,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

18

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #18 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

19

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #19 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. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #20 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,782 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #21 spot for development economics & international development value 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. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $60,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $22,791 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $34,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

23

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,500. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $70,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

24

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #24 for value in development economics & international development this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $15,500. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $84,967. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

25

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.