by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Florida. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $15,851 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,349. Set against $15,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #2. 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. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,111 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,632. That is a strong return on a $25,111 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for economics. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,314. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for economics. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,925 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,351. That is a strong return on a $22,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Florida one of the best values for economics. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the economics program here. 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.
Florida State University landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. 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. Economics graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $60,948 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for economics. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $47,743. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $47,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $17,725 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,824. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $38,719. Set against $26,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Rollins College came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,580. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Rollins College generally make around $36,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The University Of Tampa landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,408 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $54,284 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The University Of Tampa admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Miami came in at #12 for value in economics this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $42,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Eckerd College landed the #13 spot for economics value this year. Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,884. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,559. Early-career economics graduates make about $28,012. That is a strong return on a $25,559 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.