2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Maryland

[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Maryland
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
For return on investment in economics, no school beat University Of Maryland College Park this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,097. Early-career economics graduates make about $68,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Maryland Baltimore County, which ranked #2. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. 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. Set against $21,920 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Frostburg State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $42,798 early in their careers. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #4 makes Towson University one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salisbury University earned it the #5 place for economics. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,476. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #6 among the best values for economics. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,494 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $89,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,946 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $24,946 median debt. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
Goucher College came in at #8 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Goucher College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,350 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Goucher College earn a median of $46,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Goucher College admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington College earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Chestertown, Washington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,081. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Economics graduates of Washington College earn a median of $50,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Baltimore earned the #10 position for value in economics this year. Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.