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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in North Carolina

9 Colleges in the United States
$20,985 Avg Student Debt
$63,272 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Economics Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general economics schools.

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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in North Carolina

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

1

For return on investment in general economics, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,843. 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.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #2 place for general economics. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #3 place for general economics. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $42,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,791 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $28,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

East Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,927 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $56,416. Set against $20,927 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.

8
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,437 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $83,388. Set against $13,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

9

Elon University placed #9 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $69,298. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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