[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 373 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
Finding the Best Value General Economics School for You
The right general economics school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value General Economics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Economics Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Valley College earned it the #2 place for general economics. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,308. Early-career general economics graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $51,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,098. General Economics graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
University Of Florida placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,851. General Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Cerritos College landed the #9 spot for general economics value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Cuny Hunter College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,580 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,205. Early-career general economics graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College earned the #14 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $7,300. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. Set against $7,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Skyline College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Moorpark College came in at #16 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. General Economics graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,438, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Students borrow a median of $17,223 to complete the general economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $39,993. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,196. General Economics graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College earned the #23 position for value in general economics this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,213. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,258. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #25 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general economics this year:
This ranking is produced 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 · 373 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 373 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).
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
