by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Bowdoin College the best value for a degree in economics in the New England Region. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,832. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $75,867. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $6,617 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $103,993 early in their careers. Set against $6,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Colby College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $76,401. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Williams College one of the best values for economics. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $80,888. Set against $12,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $49,173. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #7 for value in economics this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,910. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $43,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,237. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $41,910. Set against $25,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Yale University placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Economics graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $82,617. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,984. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Amherst College earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,662 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $90,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Vermont landed the #13 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $38,452. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #14 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,994. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #16 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Brown University landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $72,064. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #19 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,733. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,897. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #21 spot for economics value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $22,907 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $52,227. Set against $22,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College came in at #22 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,190 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $86,367. That is a strong return on a $11,190 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #23 spot for economics value this year. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $39,573. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Mount Holyoke College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,018 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,041 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Bates College placed #25 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,590. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,000. Economics graduates of Bates College earn a median of $71,187 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in economics:
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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.