by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 813 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,776. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,075. Early-career general economics graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
De Anza College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general economics program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
El Camino Community College District placed #6 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
Oxnard College earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Orange Coast College earned the #8 position for value in general economics this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. General Economics graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College landed the #9 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Diablo Valley College came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. 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.
Skyline College placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Saddleback College came in at #13 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College came in at #14 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #15 among the best values for general economics. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,692. Early-career general economics graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College placed #16 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Irvine Valley College placed #17 among the best values for general economics. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general economics program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #18 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Sierra College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,733. Early-career general economics graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Golden West College placed #20 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Pasadena City College earned the #22 position for value in general economics this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. General Economics graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #23 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. General Economics graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for general economics this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Economics rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 813 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.