by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 116 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.
For return on investment in general economics, no school beat College Of San Mateo this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oxnard College earned it the #2 place for general economics. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,308. 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.
Cerritos College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,098. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. General Economics graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Skyline College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Canada College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the general economics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #12 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. General Economics graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College landed the #14 spot for general economics value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,250. General Economics graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Hartnell College came in at #16 for value in general economics this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Hartnell College earn a median of $35,080 early in their careers. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #17 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #18 for value in general economics this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $32,877. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Saddleback College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. That is a strong return on a $17,223 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $37,679. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Cypress College placed #22 among the best values for general economics. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
California State University Bakersfield placed #23 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Golden West College earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,500. General Economics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College placed #25 among the best values for general economics. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.