2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At El Paso the best value for a degree in economics in Texas. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,819. 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 The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for economics. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,289 in student loans. Economics graduates of Rice University earn a median of $78,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,289 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,408. That is a strong return on a $16,465 median debt.
University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,820. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, 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 acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Texas ranked #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,619 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $51,316. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best values for economics. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,717 in student loans. 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 placed #11 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $27,125 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $44,292. That is a strong return on a $27,125 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among the best values for economics. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,125 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $68,794 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Hardin Simmons University earned the #13 position for value in economics this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $32,960. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,674. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the economics program here. 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 placed #16 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,613. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Southwestern University generally make around $36,990. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $54,462. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Methodist University landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $71,630 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University earned the #19 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
