by our College Data Analytics Team
[Econometrics & Quantitative Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/econometrics-and-quantitative-economics/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for econometrics & quantitative economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in econometrics & quantitative economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Haverford College earned it the #2 place for econometrics & quantitative economics. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $25,782. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $50,529. Set against $25,782 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Temple University one of the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $14,000. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $89,097. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Gettysburg College earned the #6 position for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,640. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $62,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #7 among the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $22,020. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $86,284. Set against $22,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson College landed the #8 spot for econometrics & quantitative economics value this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $53,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College placed #9 among the best values for econometrics & quantitative economics. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the econometrics & quantitative economics program here. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $68,164. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in econometrics & quantitative economics this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $23,008. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Drexel University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value econometrics & quantitative economics schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $29,000. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $70,967. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Bucknell University landed the #13 spot for econometrics & quantitative economics value this year. Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,812. Econometrics & Quantitative Economics graduates carry a median of $25,888 in student loans. Early-career econometrics & quantitative economics graduates make about $70,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University landed the #14 spot for econometrics & quantitative economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical student debt for econometrics & quantitative economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, econometrics & quantitative economics degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $67,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.