2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 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 Southwest Region
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 The University Of Texas Pan American this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for general economics. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $14,519. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Blinn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $16,465. General Economics graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Rice University one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $78,814. Set against $11,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Houston placed #6 among the best values for general economics. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $50,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Economics graduates carry a median of $16,430 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $54,778. Set against $16,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas came in at #8 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,619 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $51,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,610. General Economics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,450. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,656. Set against $18,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $22,717 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,064. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. General Economics graduates carry a median of $20,748 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,034. Set against $20,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,125. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $68,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Hardin Simmons University placed #15 among the best values for general economics. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,960. Students borrow a median of $26,674 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $50,478. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University landed the #17 spot for general economics value this year. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $57,482. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern University landed the #18 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,613. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Texas Christian University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. General Economics graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $54,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University came in at #20 for value in general economics this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,500. General Economics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $71,630 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
