2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 70 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
For return on investment in economics, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $15,851. Economics graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $42,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,851 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for economics. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $65,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Economics graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for economics. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,948. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of North Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,519. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,925 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,351. Set against $22,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $42,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University placed #8 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,111. Economics graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $48,632 early in their careers. Set against $25,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida placed #9 among the best values for economics. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $47,743 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $12,424 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $84,311. That is a strong return on a $12,424 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Georgia came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $49,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #12 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Economics graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $53,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #14 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,754 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,344. Set against $12,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,791 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $28,301. That is a strong return on a $18,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #19 position for value in economics this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,444. Economics graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $22,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #20 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $59,622. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Davidson College came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,625. Early-career economics graduates make about $70,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #22 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $43,575 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of West Georgia placed #23 among the best values for economics. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $39,899. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,824. Early-career economics graduates make about $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s economics value ranking:
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. 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.
