by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in economics in Massachusetts. 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. Economics graduates carry a median of $6,617 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $103,993. Set against $6,617 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Williams College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,925 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Williams College earn a median of $80,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,925 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place for economics. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,682. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $41,910. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #6 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,994. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $46,523. Set against $26,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,000. Economics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $52,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Amherst College placed #8 among the best values for economics. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Students borrow a median of $16,662 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $90,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. 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. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,106. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $55,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Wellesley College earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,176. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,190 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $86,367. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Holyoke College admits about 36% of applicants.
Smith College earned the #13 position for value in economics this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $71,559. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Clark University earn a median of $34,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #15 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $70,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Suffolk University landed the #16 spot for economics value this year. Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $57,261 early in their careers. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brandeis University placed #17 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $63,244 early in their careers. Set against $25,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Bentley University earned the #18 position for value in economics this year. Bentley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $61,000. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,475. Economics graduates of Bentley University earn a median of $76,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #19 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,500. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $69,288. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. College Of The Holy Cross admits about 18% of applicants.
Tufts University came in at #20 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,850 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $75,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College earned the #21 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Boston College earn a median of $73,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.