2027 Best Value International Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[International Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/international-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for international economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value International Economics Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the international economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value International Economics Schools
For return on investment in international economics, no school beat University Of California Los Angeles this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. International Economics graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. International Economics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Students looking for strong value in international economics will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $51,192. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in international economics will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,166 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $14,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Chicago earned it the #4 place for international economics. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. International Economics graduates carry a median of $13,197 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $13,197 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in international economics will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Hays State University landed the #6 spot for international economics value this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $50,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Washington State University earned the #7 position for value in international economics this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. International Economics graduates carry a median of $25,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. That is a strong return on a $25,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of West Georgia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. International Economics graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. International Economics graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $39,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Albion College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $40,829. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $18,017. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $50,518. Set against $18,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #11 for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $19,793 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $46,503. Set against $19,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Georgia State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the international economics program here. Early-career international economics graduates make about $40,598. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $44,292. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Trinity University earned the #14 position for value in international economics this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $20,500. Early-career international economics graduates make about $57,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #15 among the best values for international economics. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. International Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. International Economics graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $57,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #16 position for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. International Economics graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $60,323. That is a strong return on a $24,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #17 for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. International Economics graduates carry a median of $22,020 in student loans. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. That is a strong return on a $22,020 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Belmont University earned the #18 position for value in international economics this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. International Economics graduates carry a median of $23,447 in student loans. Early-career international economics graduates make about $49,699. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Denver landed the #19 spot for international economics value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $22,534. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $60,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
George Washington University placed #20 among the best values for international economics. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $23,250. International Economics graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $67,684 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Texas Christian University earned the #21 position for value in international economics this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $54,462. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Salve Regina University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of Salve Regina University earn a median of $56,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University landed the #23 spot for international economics value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the international economics program here. International Economics graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $79,632 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value international economics schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the international economics program here. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from Elon University generally make around $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
American University earned the #25 position for value in international economics this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for international economics graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, international economics degree recipients from American University generally make around $58,151. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Other International Economics Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value International Economics rankings across degree levels:
View All International Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
