2027 Best Value Other Economics Master’s Degree Schools
[Other Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for other economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Other Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Economics Schools
For return on investment in other economics, no school beat University Of California San Diego this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. 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. Other Economics graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $59,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $29,053. Other Economics graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #4 place for other economics. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $25,261. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $25,261 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of California Santa Cruz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny At Albany placed #6 among the best values for other economics. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $24,474 to complete the other economics program here. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other economics schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the other economics program here. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #8 spot for other economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $22,984. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Michigan State University earned the #9 position for value in other economics this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Other Economics graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career other economics graduates make about $54,013. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for other economics. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,225 to complete the other economics program here. 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. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #11 spot for other economics value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
American University landed the #12 spot for other economics value this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other economics graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, other economics degree recipients from American University generally make around $86,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #13 among the best values for other economics. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. 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), 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
