2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $42,349. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,843 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $65,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of North Florida, which ranked #3. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $41,519 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general economics. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $22,925 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #5 place for general economics. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $25,111 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $48,632. Set against $25,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Vanderbilt University came in at #7 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,743. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Georgia came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $16,924 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,857. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. General Economics graduates carry a median of $12,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $47,344. That is a strong return on a $12,754 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #13 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #14 for value in general economics this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $18,791 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $28,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #15 for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,444 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
West Virginia University came in at #18 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,772. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earned the #19 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,824. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,375. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $46,425. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,835 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $41,919 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #22 spot for general economics value this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Georgia State University landed the #23 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #24 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,678. Early-career general economics graduates make about $65,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #25 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,019. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $52,555. That is a strong return on a $24,019 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:
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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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
