[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 294 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,758. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,851 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,851 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for general economics. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for general economics. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the general economics program here. 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. 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. General Economics graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #7 for value in general economics this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #8 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $65,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #11 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #12 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $32,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,500. General Economics graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $37,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge landed the #14 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $35,628. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $16,110. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #16 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,000. General Economics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for general economics. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. General Economics graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,312. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. General Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $43,227. That is a strong return on a $16,520 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
California State University Stanislaus placed #19 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $46,408. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,690. Early-career general economics graduates make about $68,416. That is a strong return on a $19,690 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,000. General Economics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #23 among the best values for general economics. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $41,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,375. General Economics graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $38,475 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Rice University placed #25 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,289 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $78,814. Set against $11,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 294 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 294 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
