2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Michigan
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,690 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $68,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #2 makes Wayne State University one of the best values for general economics. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,681. General Economics graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $50,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Detroit Mercy one of the best values for general economics. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Set against $29,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,608. General Economics graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #5. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Albion College earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $48,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Michigan State University earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,013 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kalamazoo College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $60,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. General Economics graduates of Kalamazoo College earn a median of $42,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
