2026 Best Value Other Economics Master’s Degree Schools
[Other Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other economics students.
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2026 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 earned the #1 spot for value among other economics schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the other economics program here. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $51,192. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #2 place for other economics. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,499 to complete the other economics program here. Other Economics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,499 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other economics schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,187. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $18,017 in student loans. Early-career other economics graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other economics schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career other economics graduates make about $82,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Maine earned the #6 position for value in other economics this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $22,984 to complete the other economics program here. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Set against $22,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany landed the #7 spot for other economics value this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #8 position for value in other economics this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $20,225. Early-career other economics graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #9 among the best values for other economics. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Valparaiso University came in at #10 for value in other economics this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete the other economics program here. Other Economics graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Boston University landed the #11 spot for other economics value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
American University placed #12 among the best values for other economics. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $22,625. Early-career other economics graduates make about $86,903. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for other economics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,780. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $32,107 in student loans. Early-career other economics graduates make about $66,047. Set against $32,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Chicago School Of Professional Psychology At Los Angeles admits about 46% of applicants.
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #14 among the best values for other economics. Set in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Teachers College At Columbia University generally make around $68,822.
Other Other Economics Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other economics schools at other degree levels:
View All Other Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
