2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the New England Region

[Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for development economics & international development students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the New England Region
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
Leading the list is Williams College, our #1 best value for development economics & international development in the New England Region. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. 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%.
University Of Vermont came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. 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. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Boston University one of the best values for development economics & international development. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. 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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in development economics & international development, landing the #4 spot this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. 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. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Northeastern University came in at #5 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Brandeis University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value development economics & international development schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Typical student debt for development economics & international development graduates is $25,295. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $63,244. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Development Economics & International Development Schools by State
More Development Economics & International Development Rankings
View All Development Economics & International Development 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.