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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Pennsylvania

20 Colleges in the United States
$24,861 Avg Student Debt
$71,342 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Economics Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.

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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Pennsylvania

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Economics Schools

1

Leading the list is Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, our #1 best value for general economics in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $46,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for general economics. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,128. Early-career general economics graduates make about $35,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #3 place for general economics. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $61,674. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Swarthmore College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $76,944. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

5

Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6
Allegheny College crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College came in at #6 for value in general economics this year. Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Meadville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,550. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,722. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. The acceptance rate is 12%.

8

Washington And Jefferson College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Washington. Students from in state pay about $29,392 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Washington And Jefferson College generally make around $50,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

9
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $89,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

10

Lebanon Valley College came in at #10 for value in general economics this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $51,183. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.

11
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $48,242. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

12
Saint Josephs University crest
Saint Josephs University
Philadelphia, PA

Saint Josephs University earned the #12 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,260. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,426. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.

13

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,529. That is a strong return on a $25,782 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14
Ursinus College crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College earned the #14 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,061. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Ursinus College earn a median of $52,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.

15

Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,848. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.

16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. General Economics graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

17

Franklin And Marshall College placed #17 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,048. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,801. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

18
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $53,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

19
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #19 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $70,967. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

20
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,812. Students borrow a median of $25,888 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $70,946. Set against $25,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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