2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southwest 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in the Southwest Region. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for economics. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Blinn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Economics graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
Rice University placed #6 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $78,814. That is a strong return on a $11,289 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,430 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,820. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #9 for value in economics this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $46,416. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #10 spot for economics value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $69,613. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,619. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,316. Set against $23,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,450 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #13 for value in economics this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,610 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $47,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #14 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,748. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $47,034 early in their careers. Set against $20,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,717. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $43,064. Set against $22,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Economics graduates carry a median of $27,125 in student loans. Economics graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $44,292 early in their careers. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $68,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,321. Economics graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Hardin Simmons University placed #19 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,674 in student loans. Economics graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $50,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,674 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,294. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Trinity University placed #21 among the best values for economics. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $57,482. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern University landed the #22 spot for economics value this year. Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Georgetown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,613. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Southwestern University admits about 43% of applicants.
Texas Christian University landed the #23 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $54,462. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University came in at #24 for value in economics this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $71,630. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Baylor University landed the #25 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
