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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked College Of San Mateo the best value for a degree in general economics in the United States. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the general economics program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Canyons one of the best values for general economics. 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. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot 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.
Cerritos College landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,306. General Economics graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Oxnard College landed the #8 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Diablo Valley College earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,205. General Economics graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Skyline College placed #10 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Moorpark College placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #12 spot for general economics value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,794. General Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Mission College came in at #13 for value in general economics this year. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. General Economics graduates carry a median of $17,223 in student loans. Median earnings reach $50,936 ten years out. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #14 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. General Economics graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #16 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #17 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #18 among the best values for general economics. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Canada College came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Saddleback College landed the #20 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. General Economics graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #21 among the best values for general economics. 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. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Cypress College earned the #23 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Golden West College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College placed #25 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Economics rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.