2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Kentucky
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Northern Kentucky University tops our 2027 list of the best value economics schools in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,572. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #2 place for economics. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $53,857. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,942. Early-career economics graduates make about $41,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Centre College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Centre College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
