2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for development economics & international development students.
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2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the development economics & international development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among development economics & international development schools in the United States. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $62,091. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. 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. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $12,500. 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for development economics & international development. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,187 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #6 position 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. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $12,424. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for development economics & international development value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #8 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $54,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College came in at #9 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. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $80,888. That is a strong return on a $12,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #11 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cleveland State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #13 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Vermont came in at #14 for value in development economics & international development this year. 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. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $38,452 early in their careers. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $19,750. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $46,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University landed the #16 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $20,500. 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.
Boston University earned the #17 position for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $24,500. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #18 spot for development economics & international development value this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $55,422. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Brown University earned the #19 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. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $72,064. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #20 among the best values for development economics & international development. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,261. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #21 for value in development economics & international development this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,835 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Development Economics & International Development graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $41,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University came in at #22 for value in development economics & international development this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $84,967. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Covenant College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the suburb of Lookout Mountain, Covenant College is a small private not-for-profit university. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Covenant College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #24 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #25 position for value in development economics & international development this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $25,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
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:
Other Development Economics & International Development Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Development Economics & International Development rankings across degree levels:
View All Development Economics & International Development Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
