by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 102 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 California. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Oxnard College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,075. General Economics graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for general economics. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. 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, 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 #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,776. General Economics graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College came in at #10 for value in general economics this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Irvine Valley College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #12 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. General Economics graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College earned the #13 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #14 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. 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.
Ventura College landed the #15 spot for general economics value 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #17 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. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the general economics program here. 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.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $32,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College landed the #19 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College came in at #20 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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 placed #21 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. General Economics graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $37,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College placed #22 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Antelope Valley College placed #23 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, with out-of-state students paying around $9,548. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $10,729. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. That is a strong return on a $10,729 median debt.
Golden West College placed #24 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. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Clovis Community College Fresno came in at #25 for value in general economics this year. Clovis Community College Fresno is a large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students.
These schools also delivered strong value for general economics this year:
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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 102 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.