2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in general economics, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #2. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Hunter College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $7,300. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,794. Early-career general economics graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,213. General Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #7 among 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #8 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $39,377. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,227. That is a strong return on a $16,520 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #10 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,261. Early-career general economics graduates make about $55,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,494 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Frostburg State University came in at #12 for value in general economics this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #13 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $18,838 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Montclair State University earned the #14 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $39,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #15 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,474 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #16 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $48,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,014 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #18 for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,128. Early-career general economics graduates make about $35,051. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,349. Set against $21,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,860. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #21 among the best values for general economics. Located in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,946. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $51,483. Set against $24,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $47,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #23 for value in general economics this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $28,281. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $43,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $83,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #25 spot for general economics value this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,965. General Economics graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $51,848 early in their careers. Set against $24,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
Narrow General Economics Schools by State
More General Economics Rankings
View All General Economics Rankings >
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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.
