College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Economics in Pennsylvania (With Aid)

37 Ranked Colleges
2,417 Degrees Awarded
$24,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Pennsylvania, there were 2,417 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,918 and $24,467 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered a degree 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Economics Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics in Pennsylvania (With Aid)

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 273 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $25,046 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid per year to attend University of Pennsylvania.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 University of Pennsylvania

2
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Swarthmore College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 60 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Swarthmore not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Swarthmore is $20,813 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Economics at Swarthmore

3
Haverford crest
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Haverford College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Haverford is a small school located in Haverford, Pennsylvania that handed out 31 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Haverford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Haverford is $25,789 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Full Haverford Economics Report

4
Lycoming crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Lycoming College landed the #4 spot on the list. Lycoming is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lycoming not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Lycoming is $18,554 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

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%.

Full Lycoming Economics Report

5
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lafayette College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. This small school is located in Easton, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 110 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania economics students with aid list, Lafayette has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lafayette is $32,926 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%. 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.

Full Lafayette College Economics Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 212 students in 2020-2021.

Pitt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $27,058 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Economics Report

7
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees 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 $36,775 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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.

Read more about Economics at Carnegie Mellon University

8
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,927 for pennsylvania economics students with aid 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

9
Saint Vincent crest
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Saint Vincent College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Saint Vincent is a small school located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania that handed out 3 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Saint Vincent also took the #18 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Vincent College is $21,573 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

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 full report on Economics at Saint Vincent

10
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 95 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania economics students with aid list, Temple has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $23,888 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid per year to attend Temple.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, 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 87%.

Read more about Economics at Temple University

11

With a ranking of #11, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg is $20,639 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

Read full report on Economics at Bloomsburg

12

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, this small public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro is $16,363 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

Read full report on Economics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

13
Franklin and Marshall crest
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Franklin and Marshall College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Franklin and Marshall not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Franklin and Marshall College is $30,911 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

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%. 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.

Read full report on Economics at Franklin and Marshall College

14
Allegheny crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania

Allegheny College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 31 ’s economics degrees 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 $24,274 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

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 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%.

Full Allegheny Economics Report

15

With a ranking of #15, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 6 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal U is $19,117 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

Read full report on Economics at Cal U

16
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,141 for pennsylvania economics students with aid per year to attend East Stroudsburg University.

Read more about Economics at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

17

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is a medium-sized school located in Indiana, Pennsylvania that handed out 20 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend IUP is $22,828 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

Read full report on Economics at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

18
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 18 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $23,133 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

19

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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 $16,003 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

The undergrad 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 University of Pittsburgh - Bradford

20
La Salle crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. La Salle is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 11 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

La Salle also took the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend La Salle is $25,819 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 full report on Economics at La Salle

21
W&J crest
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania

Washington & Jefferson College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. W&J is a small school located in Washington, Pennsylvania that handed out 15 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

W&J did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Washington & Jefferson College is $28,635 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid.

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. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full W&J Economics Report

22
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Ship is $23,006 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

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

Full Ship Economics Report

23

York College of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. YCP is a small private not-for-profit school situated in York, Pennsylvania. It awarded 3 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for York College of Pennsylvania is $22,233 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full York College of Pennsylvania Economics Report

24
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #24, Dickinson College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Dickinson is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 55 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dickinson, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dickinson College is $32,250 for pennsylvania economics students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, 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 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Dickinson College Economics Report

25
Susquehanna crest
Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. 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 with aid list, Susquehanna has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $25,396 for Pennsylvania Economics students with aid per year to attend Susquehanna.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Economics at Susquehanna University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options