2023 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania
37
Ranked Colleges
2,417
Degrees Awarded
$16,100
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
In 2020-2021, 49,055 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. 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 Pennsylvania, there were 2,417 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,918 and $24,467 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 37 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than 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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in Pennsylvania
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Pennsylvania is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 273 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UPenn has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Pennsylvania is $1,938 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, 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 95%. 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.
Full UPenn Economics Report
Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Haverford College landed the #2 spot on the list. Haverford is a small school located in Haverford, Pennsylvania that handed out 31 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Haverford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Haverford College is $9,272 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read full report on Economics at Haverford College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Swarthmore College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. Swarthmore is a private not-for-profit institution located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Swarthmore has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Swarthmore is $4,012 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at Swarthmore College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lafayette College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k. Lafayette is a private not-for-profit institution located in Easton, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 110 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lafayette has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $12,400 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lafayette.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at Lafayette
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carnegie Mellon University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 76 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
Carnegie Mellon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon University is $13,608 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Economics at Carnegie Mellon
Dickinson College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Dickinson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson College is $12,027 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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.
Full Dickinson College Economics Report
Gettysburg College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.
Gettysburg also took the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $13,799 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gettysburg College.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read full report on Economics at Gettysburg College
With a ranking of #8, Franklin and Marshall College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.
Franklin and Marshall did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Franklin and Marshall is $13,110 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 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%.
Read more about Economics at Franklin and Marshall
Lycoming College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 15 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
Lycoming also took the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $12,949 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lycoming.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at Lycoming
Bucknell University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 135 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
Bucknell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Bucknell University is $28,153 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Bucknell Economics Report
Muhlenberg College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Muhlenberg College is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Muhlenberg, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Muhlenberg College is $21,330 for Pennsylvania 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. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%.
Full Muhlenberg College Economics Report
Saint Vincent College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Vincent is located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Saint Vincent also took the #18 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Vincent is $17,606 for pennsylvania 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 Saint Vincent
Villanova University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 147 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Villanova, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova is $26,460 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at Villanova
Allegheny College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
Allegheny also took the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Allegheny College is $18,748 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Allegheny College Economics Report
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. SRU is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 12 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,507 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Pitt is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 212 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Pitt also made our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Pitt is $17,691 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Economics at Pitt
Temple University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Temple University is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $19,355 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Temple.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Economics at Temple
With a ranking of #18, Washington & Jefferson College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Washington, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 15 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at W&J, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington & Jefferson College is $21,570 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Economics at Washington & Jefferson College
California University of Pennsylvania came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in California, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,063 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cal U.
Read full report on Economics at Cal U
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $16,956 for pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Read more about Economics at Bloomsburg
York College of Pennsylvania came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in York, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 3 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for York College of Pennsylvania is $18,893 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at YCP
Susquehanna University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Susquehanna is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. It awarded 5 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Susquehanna has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,710 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Susquehanna University.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Susquehanna
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Edinboro is a small public school situated in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It awarded 4 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro is $13,001 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Economics Report
Ursinus College landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 48 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
Ursinus also made our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Ursinus College is $27,127 for Pennsylvania Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Read more about Economics at Ursinus College
With a ranking of #25, University of Pittsburgh - Bradford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bradford, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Pitt Bradford is $11,724 for pennsylvania 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%.
Read more about Economics at Pitt Bradford
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