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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Indiana

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,738 Avg Student Debt
$66,408 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Economics Badge [Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.

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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Indiana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Economics Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis the best value for a degree in economics in Indiana. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,711. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $45,443. Set against $18,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $59,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

3

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #4 place for economics. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,054 in student loans. Economics graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $56,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,054 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the best values for economics. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $59,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

6
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greencastle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,070. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,978. Economics graduates of Depauw University earn a median of $63,395 early in their careers. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

7
Wabash College crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, IN

Wabash College earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crawfordsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,800. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Wabash College earn a median of $51,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

8

University Of Notre Dame came in at #8 for value in economics this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,965. Economics graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $76,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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