2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Ohio

[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of Akron Main Campus, our #1 best value for general economics in Ohio. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,347. General Economics graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland State University earned it the #2 place for general economics. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $32,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the best values for general economics. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $66,237 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #4 makes Bowling Green State University Main Campus one of the best values for general economics. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,625. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,864. That is a strong return on a $23,625 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $68,850. Set against $21,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $57,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Kenyon College earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,718 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $58,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,102. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Denison University generally make around $39,797. That is a strong return on a $24,102 median debt. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,949 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $53,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.