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2023 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

71 Ranked Colleges
12,085 Degrees Awarded
$8,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Economics is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 12,085 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,136 and $18,615 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 71 colleges that offer a degree in economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent economics programs, but they also 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 116 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,581 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Stanford

2
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Claremont McKenna College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Claremont McKenna College is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 116 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Claremont McKenna, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Claremont McKenna College is $8,693 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Claremont McKenna

3

Out of the 71 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 808 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $9,999 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Berkeley Economics Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 884 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 96%.

Read full report on Economics at University of California - Los Angeles

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 309 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $6,399 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

6
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

Pomona College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 46 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,239 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pomona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Economics at Pomona

7

University of California - San Diego ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - San Diego is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 480 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $11,176 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad 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 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at UCSD

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 490 students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $8,449 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 University of California - Irvine Economics Report

9

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 661 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Davis has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Davis is $11,598 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 University of California - Davis Economics Report

10

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Santa Barbara is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 723 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,606 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of California - Santa Barbara Economics Report

11
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 12 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pitzer has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,181 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pitzer College.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Pitzer

12

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 375 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $8,193 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UCR

13

California State University - Fresno came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $4,655 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Fresno State Economics Report

14

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 31 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $2,701 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Cal State LA

15

California State University - Fullerton came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 80 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,821 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Economics Report

16
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 357 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Southern California is $17,345 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at University of Southern California

17
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Santa Rosa Junior College is a public institution located in Santa Rosa, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SRJC is $5,800 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Economics at SRJC

18

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 214 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $9,055 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad 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 Sac State

19
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 259 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,274 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Economics at SDSU

20

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 219 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, 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 85%.

Read more about Economics at University of California - Santa Cruz

21

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $4,903 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 California State University - Stanislaus

22

California State University - Long Beach landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 84 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,573 for Far Western US Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 California State University - Long Beach

23

California State University - Northridge landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at CSUN

24
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

Wazzu also took the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington State University is $8,719 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Wazzu

25

California State University - Bakersfield ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $6,046 for far western us region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Economics at CSUB

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