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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 168 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general economics in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at San Diego Miramar College, which ranked #2. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for general economics. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General Economics graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #5 place for general economics. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Oxnard College earned the #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
College Of The Canyons earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,776. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,999. Early-career general economics graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general economics program here. 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.
West Valley College earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. 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, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College landed the #11 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,672. 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.
Grossmont College earned the #12 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Saddleback College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. 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.
Golden West College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Imperial Valley College came in at #15 for value in general economics this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,176. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #16 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #18 spot for general economics value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a 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 Monica College earned the #19 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
De Anza College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. General Economics graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #21 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,105. Early-career general economics graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Folsom Lake College came in at #22 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
El Camino Community College District placed #23 among the best values for general economics. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Ventura College placed #24 among the best values for general economics. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General Economics graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #25 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general economics:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 168 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.