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2022 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Texas

22 Ranked Colleges
2,065 Degrees Awarded
$13,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across Texas, there were 2,065 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,192 and $20,808 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Texas

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k. Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 103 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rice is $3,437 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at Rice

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. It costs about $2,993 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Economics Report

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #3 spot on the list. Texas A&M College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 396 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. It costs about $11,454 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas A&M University - College Station.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Texas A&M University - College Station

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $8,521 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at University of North Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 523 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Austin has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $12,203 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Economics Report

#6

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas

Trinity University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Trinity U also made our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $12,373 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Trinity U.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Economics at Trinity U

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 19 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. It costs about $10,516 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Economics Report

#8

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 104 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $12,317 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Texas Tech University Economics Report

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 215 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $10,203 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Houston Economics Report

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 79 students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also took the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Dallas is $10,857 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Economics at UT Dallas

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas State University is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $11,125 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Texas State

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFASU is a public institution located in Nacogdoches, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. It costs about $8,650 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stephen F Austin State University.

Full Stephen F Austin State University Economics Report

With a ranking of #13, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Arlington is $11,811 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at UT Arlington

#14

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas

University of Dallas landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Irving, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. It costs about $15,759 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UD.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Dallas

#15

Texas Lutheran University

Seguin, Texas

Texas Lutheran University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Seguin, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

TLU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Lutheran University is $16,147 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Texas Lutheran University Economics Report

#16

St. Mary's University

San Antonio, Texas

St. Mary’s University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. St. Mary’s is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

St. Mary’s also took the #19 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Mary’s is $15,338 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at St. Mary’s University

#17

Austin College

Sherman, Texas

With a ranking of #17, Austin College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sherman, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Austin College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin College is $16,598 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Austin College Economics Report

#18

Southwestern University

Georgetown, Texas
#10 in overall quality

Southwestern University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Georgetown, Texas, and it awarded 12 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Southwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern University is $20,296 for Texas Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Southwestern University

#19

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi also made our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $15,501 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Read more about Economics at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#20

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 116 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2019-2020.

TCU also made our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Christian University is $21,286 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full TCU Economics Report

#21

Saint Edward's University

Austin, Texas

Saint Edward’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 9 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Edward’s University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. The yearly cost to attend Saint Edward’s University is $19,126 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at St. Edward’s University

Southern Methodist University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 184 ’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

SMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Schools in Texas” list. It costs about $26,718 for texas economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SMU.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Southern Methodist University

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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