2027 Best Value General Economics Master’s Degree Schools
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for general economics. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. Set against $7,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for general economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,750. Early-career general economics graduates make about $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #6 among the best values for general economics. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,690. General Economics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $68,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Rice University earned the #8 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $78,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,289 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #9 among the best values for general economics. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #10 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Set against $19,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Chicago landed the #12 spot for general economics value this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $92,075. Set against $13,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,111 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,632. That is a strong return on a $25,111 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #14 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,228 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $58,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #15 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,858 in student loans. General Economics graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $39,836 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Georgia came in at #16 for value in general economics this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $16,924 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,725. That is a strong return on a $16,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of California Davis came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,749. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #18 spot for general economics value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,424 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #19 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #21 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. General Economics graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $50,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,516. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #23 for value in general economics this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,977. General Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy placed #24 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $29,053. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Detroit Mercy generally make around $76,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #25 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
Other General Economics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general economics schools at other degree levels:
View All General Economics Rankings >
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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
