2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus, our #1 best value for economics in Pennsylvania. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $46,860. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,128 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $35,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,418. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Swarthmore College earned it the #4 place for economics. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Economics graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $76,944 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $51,960. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Allegheny College earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,722. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Allegheny College admits about 55% of applicants.
Haverford College earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,000. Economics graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $89,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,392. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Washington And Jefferson College earn a median of $50,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Washington And Jefferson College admits about 81% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College placed #10 among the best values for economics. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,183. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University placed #11 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,242. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,260 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #13 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,782 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Gettysburg College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,640. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Gettysburg College earn a median of $62,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Ursinus College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,061. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Ursinus College generally make around $52,496. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ursinus College admits about 92% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,848. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $53,999. Set against $26,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #17 for value in economics this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $22,020 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $86,284. Set against $22,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,418. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College placed #19 among the best values for economics. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Students from in state pay about $64,648 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $68,164. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Franklin And Marshall College placed #20 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Lancaster, Franklin And Marshall College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Franklin And Marshall College earn a median of $52,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson College landed the #21 spot for economics value this year. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. In-state tuition and fees average $65,650. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $53,990 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dickinson College admits about 42% of applicants.
Drexel University earned the #22 position for value in economics this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $70,967. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bucknell University landed the #23 spot for economics value this year. Set in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,812. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,888 in student loans. Economics graduates of Bucknell University earn a median of $70,946 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bucknell University admits about 29% of applicants.
Villanova University earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Villanova University earn a median of $67,065 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
