2027 Best Value Other Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Other Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-other/) 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other economics students.
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2027 Best Value Other Economics Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Economics Schools
University Of California San Diego tops our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career other economics graduates make about $51,192. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for other economics. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete the other economics program here. Early-career other economics graduates make about $44,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for other economics. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the other economics program here. Early-career other economics graduates make about $59,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Riverside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Other Economics graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $37,149 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for other economics. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $16,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,778. That is a strong return on a $16,430 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Delaware ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $25,261 in student loans. Early-career other economics graduates make about $55,905. Set against $25,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $18,017 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Set against $18,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #8 for value in other economics this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $24,474 in student loans. Other Economics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Set against $24,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
George Mason University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Maine ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $22,984 in student loans. Other Economics graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $22,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #11 among the best values for other economics. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $50,873. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #12 spot for other economics value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,013. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Vermont ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the other economics program here. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $38,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $20,225. Other Economics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Set against $20,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University landed the #15 spot for other economics value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the other economics program here. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $45,401. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #16 spot for other economics value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Other Economics graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Whitworth University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $26,051. Early-career other economics graduates make about $47,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Barnard College came in at #18 for value in other economics this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the other economics program here. Other Economics graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $85,860 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
Drake University landed the #19 spot for other economics value this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the other economics program here. Other Economics graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Whitman College came in at #20 for value in other economics this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the other economics program here. Early-career other economics graduates make about $46,832. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
American University came in at #21 for value in other economics this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the other economics program here. Early-career other economics graduates make about $58,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Other Other Economics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other economics schools at other degree levels:
View All Other Economics Rankings >
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
