2027 Best Value Economics Schools in North Carolina
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,843 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $65,344. That is a strong return on a $15,843 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,446. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Asheville one of the best values for economics. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $18,791 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $28,301 early in their careers. Set against $18,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,113. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College placed #7 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $70,785. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,375 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,425. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wake Forest University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,927 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $56,416. That is a strong return on a $20,927 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University came in at #11 for value in economics this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $98,649. Set against $13,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Elon University earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Elon University earn a median of $69,298 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
