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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania

44 Ranked Colleges
1,683 Degrees Awarded
$22,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in Pennsylvania

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Pennsylvania, there were 1,802 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,304 and $24,346 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,683 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania” ranking, we looked at 44 colleges that offer 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania” list to help you make the college 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics in Pennsylvania

#1

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. SRU is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 10 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SRU is $19,926 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Read full report on Economics at SRU

#2

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 13 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Bloomsburg is $20,230 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read full report on Economics at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 181 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Pitt is $27,938 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an impressive 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 93%.

Read full report on Economics at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#4

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a small school located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania that handed out 12 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $16,833 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Read full report on Economics at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

#5

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $19,855 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Read more about Economics at East Stroudsburg University

#6

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #6. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Millersville is $23,350 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Read more about Economics at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

#7

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. Ship is a public institution located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $22,054 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend Ship.

Read more about Economics at Ship

#8

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford

Bradford, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. This small school is located in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,906 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Bradford.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Pitt Bradford

With a ranking of #9, Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. Located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $22,448 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus.

Full IUP Economics Report

#10

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. Located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Clarion University is $20,011 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read full report on Economics at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

#11

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Temple is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 98 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $23,521 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Temple University.

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

Read more about Economics at Temple

#12

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #12. Cal U is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 1 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $18,154 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read full report on Economics at California University of Pennsylvania

#13

York College of Pennsylvania

York, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, York College of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. York College of Pennsylvania is located in York, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $20,652 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend YCP.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full York College of Pennsylvania Economics Report

#14

Albright College

Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. Albright is located in Reading, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Albright College is $19,469 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Full Albright College Economics Report

#15

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Elizabethtown College is $26,937 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

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 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 full report on Economics at Elizabethtown College

#16

Messiah University

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
#21 in overall quality

Messiah University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. This small school is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students list, Messiah has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Messiah University is $28,141 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low 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 full report on Economics at Messiah University

#17

Robert Morris University

Moon Township, Pennsylvania

Robert Morris University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. This small school is located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend RMU is $26,839 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read more about Economics at RMU

#18

Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, Pennsylvania
#19 in overall quality

Saint Vincent College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Saint Vincent is a small school located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students list, Saint Vincent has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Vincent College is $16,634 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Saint Vincent

#19

Westminster College Pennsylvania

New Wilmington, Pennsylvania

Westminster College Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Westminster New Wilmington is a small private not-for-profit school situated in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. It awarded 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $20,172 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend Westminster College Pennsylvania.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Westminster New Wilmington

#20

La Salle University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

La Salle University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #20. This small school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend La Salle is $24,763 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read full report on Economics at La Salle

#21

King's College

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #21, King’s College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. Located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend King’s College is $25,415 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Full King’s College Economics Report

#22

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Duquesne University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania list. This medium-sized school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duquesne, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $29,309 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Duquesne.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Duquesne

#23

Lebanon Valley College

Annville, Pennsylvania

Lebanon Valley College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Lebanon Valley College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Annville, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LVC, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lebanon Valley College is $27,464 for Pennsylvania Bachelor’s Degree Economics 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 full report on Economics at Lebanon Valley College

#24

Lycoming College

Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Lycoming College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Lycoming College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It awarded 12 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Lycoming is $18,580 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read full report on Economics at Lycoming College

#25

Moravian College

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Moravian College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Moravian College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Moravian not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Moravian is $28,924 for pennsylvania bachelor’s degree economics students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 Moravian College

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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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