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2023 Best Value Colleges for Economics in the Far Western US Region

72 Ranked Colleges
12,085 Degrees Awarded
$12,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 the Far Western US Region” 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 the Far Western US region, there were 12,085 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,136 and $18,615 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking looked at 72 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics in the Far Western US Region

1
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Santa Rosa Junior College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 21 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SRJC is $6,585 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

Full SRJC Economics Report

2

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fresno landed the #2 spot on the list. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 26 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno State is $6,230 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

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

Read more about Economics at Fresno State

3
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Diego State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 259 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

SDSU also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for Far Western US Region 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.

Read more about Economics at San Diego State University

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSULB is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 84 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,054 for far western us region economics students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 CSULB

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 95 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,523 for far western us region economics students per year to attend CSUN.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read full report on Economics at California State University - Northridge

6

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Reno, Nevada, and it awarded 66 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,930 for far western us region economics students per year to attend UNR.

The low undergrad 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 UNR

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - East Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Cal State East Bay is located in Hayward, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - East Bay is $13,298 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - East Bay Economics Report

8

California State University - Sacramento ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region 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.

It costs about $11,178 for far western us region economics students per year to attend California State University - Sacramento.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at California State University - Sacramento

9
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school handed out 87 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wazzu, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $15,300 for far western us region economics students.

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 full report on Economics at Washington State University

10
East Los Angeles College crest
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, California

With a ranking of #10, East Los Angeles College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. East Los Angeles College is a large school located in Monterey Park, California that handed out 109 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,028 for far western us region economics students per year to attend East Los Angeles College.

Read full report on Economics at East Los Angeles College

11

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #11. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Economics at California State University - Fullerton

12
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. SFSU is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 78 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for far western us region economics students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at SFSU

13
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 126 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Jose State University Economics Report

14

California State University - San Marcos came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Marcos, California, and it awarded 54 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,218 for Far Western US Region Economics students per year to attend California State University - San Marcos.

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%.

Full CSUSM Economics Report

15

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #15. UNLV is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 81 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNLV is $10,993 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 UNLV

16
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Western Washington University is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend WWU is $17,070 for far western us region economics students.

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%.

Read full report on Economics at Western Washington University

17

California State University - Channel Islands ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUCI is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUCI is $14,928 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Channel Islands Economics Report

18

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in San Luis Obispo, California, and it awarded 110 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $20,677 for far western us region economics students per year to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.

Full California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo Economics Report

19
SSU crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, California

Sonoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #19. Rohnert Park, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sonoma State University is $17,563 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 SSU

20

California State University - Chico landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Chico State is a public institution located in Chico, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Chico State is $16,218 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 California State University - Chico

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,566 for far western us region economics students per year to attend California State University - Stanislaus.

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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at Stan State

22

With a ranking of #22, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $14,304 for Far Western US Region Economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Economics at Cal Poly Pomona

23

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,107 for Far Western US Region Economics students per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at CSUSB

24
Claremont Graduate University crest
Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, California

Claremont Graduate University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Claremont, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 31 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Claremont Graduate University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Economics at Claremont Graduate University

24
Antelope Valley College crest
Antelope Valley College
Lancaster, California

With a ranking of #24, Antelope Valley College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Lancaster, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Antelope Valley College is $9,277 for far western us region economics students.

Read full report on Economics at Antelope Valley College

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