2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for economics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $103,041. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,097 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $68,907. That is a strong return on a $20,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cuny City College came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $7,300. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #8 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Farmingdale State College landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,374. That is a strong return on a $19,528 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College placed #10 among the best values for economics. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $43,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University placed #13 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $12,494. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $89,118. That is a strong return on a $12,494 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Delaware came in at #14 for value in economics this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,261. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $55,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,920 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $54,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Frostburg State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Towson University landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $18,838 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,910. That is a strong return on a $18,838 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $39,375. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Salisbury University came in at #19 for value in economics this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,545. Economics graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany came in at #20 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,474. Economics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $37,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Students borrow a median of $24,014 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,545. Set against $24,014 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny At Geneseo came in at #22 for value in economics this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,824. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,691. That is a strong return on a $20,824 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #23 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,000. Economics graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $41,547 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,128 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,128 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University landed the #25 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,550. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,349. That is a strong return on a $21,550 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in economics:
Narrow Economics Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 86 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.
