by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in general economics, no school beat Weber State University this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $43,266. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $11,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $63,332. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.