2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Massachusetts

[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 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Massachusetts
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 Harvard University this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $6,617. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $6,617 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,500. General Economics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $41,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $52,309. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $46,523. That is a strong return on a $26,994 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,106. General Economics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Boston University came in at #7 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,500. General Economics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $55,733 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Smith College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $71,559. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Clark University earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $34,023. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University placed #10 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,500. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from College Of The Holy Cross generally make around $69,288. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $66,132. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.