2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Oregon
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked Portland State University the best value for a degree in economics in Oregon. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,949 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oregon State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,849. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,708. Set against $23,849 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Oregon, which ranked #3. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,305 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,941. Set against $19,305 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Willamette University earned it the #4 place for economics. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,156. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $45,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Lewis And Clark College, which ranked #5. Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,828. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,246. Economics graduates of Lewis And Clark College earn a median of $49,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
Reed College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,842. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Reed College generally make around $53,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Reed College admits about 25% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
