by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for general economics in the New England Region. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $6,617 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $95,207. Set against $6,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $12,996. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $43,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #4 place for general economics. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $41,910. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,237 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $41,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,237 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,984 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $46,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,984 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont placed #7 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,875. Early-career general economics graduates make about $38,452. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #8 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,994. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,523. Set against $26,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,309. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #10 among the best values for general economics. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,375. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $43,444. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,897. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $54,328. That is a strong return on a $25,897 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Boston University earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $55,733. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #14 for value in general economics this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,907 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,227. Set against $22,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University came in at #15 for value in general economics this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,573. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Smith College placed #16 among the best values for general economics. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $71,559. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Dartmouth College came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $18,400 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,023. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $74,800. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University came in at #20 for value in general economics this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $57,261. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Hartford landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,648 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $51,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Trinity College earned the #22 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,770. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $71,191 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trinity College admits about 29% of applicants.
Connecticut College earned the #23 position for value in general economics this year. Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New London. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,206. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Connecticut College generally make around $62,732. That is a strong return on a $25,206 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Southern New Hampshire University earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,200. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $63,199. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Salve Regina University came in at #25 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,100. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Salve Regina University earn a median of $56,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.