2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the Southwest Region

[Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value development economics & international development schools.
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2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked New Mexico State University Main Campus the best value for a degree in development economics & international development in the Southwest Region. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #2 place for development economics & international development. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $19,610 to complete the development economics & international development program here. Early-career development economics & international development graduates make about $50,834. Set against $19,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trinity University earned it the #3 place for development economics & international development. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 26%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.