by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for economics students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Grinnell College earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,196 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. Economics graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $46,791 early in their careers. Set against $16,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grinnell College admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #2 place for economics. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,414. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,407 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,223. Set against $22,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Luther College one of the best values for economics. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,967. Economics graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,967 median debt. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
Drake University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.