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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 141 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is College Of San Mateo, our #1 best value for general economics in California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. 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. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, 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. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #4 place for general economics. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the general economics program here. 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 #5 makes Skyline College one of the best values for general economics. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Oxnard College earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College placed #9 among the best values for general economics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
West Valley College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. General Economics graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #11 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College came in at #13 for value in general economics 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, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $5,707. Early-career general economics graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Golden West College landed the #15 spot for general economics value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #16 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $7,234. Early-career general economics graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. 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. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Ventura College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
Hartnell College placed #22 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. 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.
De Anza College landed the #23 spot for general economics value this year. 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, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the general economics program here. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,105. General Economics graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general economics:
This list is compiled 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 · 141 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.