2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Washington

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Eastern Washington University tops our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools in Washington. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,809 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $37,368. That is a strong return on a $21,809 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Central Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,000. General Economics graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $45,401 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,835. General Economics graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $41,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,835 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $63,134. That is a strong return on a $26,051 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Whitman College came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $17,500. General Economics graduates of Whitman College earn a median of $32,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound came in at #7 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,898 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,153. Set against $26,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.