2026 Best Value Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Economics graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 937 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Webster University this year in the United States. Webster University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Louis, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. The median Economics program debt is $25,939. Webster University alumni report median earnings of $50,876 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Webster University has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full Webster University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valparaiso University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $48,450. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete their Economics program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,191. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valparaiso University admits about 89% of applicants. Read more about Valparaiso University
Out of the 937 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of North Dakota landed the #3 spot. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. University Of North Dakota Economics students take on a median of $25,110 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,552. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants. Get the full University Of North Dakota report
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on this year's best-value Economics ranking in the United States. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical Economics student debt is $19,793. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,827 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield has an acceptance rate of 90%. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Out of the 937 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Purdue University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Economics student debt is $24,700. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,424. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Emporia State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Emporia State University is a public school based in Emporia, KS. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Emporia State University alumni report median earnings of $47,601 a decade after entry. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%. See the full Emporia State University profile
Colorado School Of Mines placed #7 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Golden, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete their Economics program here. Colorado School Of Mines alumni report median earnings of $97,335 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Western Kentucky University landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Western Kentucky University Economics students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,889. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Western Kentucky University report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. The median Economics program debt is $24,673. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte alumni report median earnings of $57,289 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Set in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete their Economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,067. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on New Mexico State University Main Campus
Ball State University placed #11 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Muncie, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Ball State University Economics students take on a median of $22,054 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,833 ten years out. Set against $22,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Ball State University report
Georgia Southern University placed #12 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Set in Statesboro, GA, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Typical Economics student debt is $26,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,236. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants. Read the full report on Georgia Southern University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Economics program debt is $22,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Fordham University placed #14 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Based in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $85,569. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Fordham University
University Of Chicago landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical Economics student debt is $13,197. Median earnings reach $91,885 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago has an acceptance rate of 4%. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Johns Hopkins University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $12,494 to complete their Economics program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $87,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Claremont Graduate University placed #17 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Located in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,372. Read more about Claremont Graduate University
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. The median Economics program debt is $24,977. Median earnings reach $48,160 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Columbia University In The City Of New York Economics students take on a median of $25,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $102,491. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Columbia University In The City Of New York report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,631. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst has an acceptance rate of 60%. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical Economics student debt is $21,348. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College has an acceptance rate of 73%. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
Old Dominion University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Norfolk, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Old Dominion University Economics students take on a median of $26,001 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,914. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. More on Old Dominion University
Suny At Albany ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Located in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Suny At Albany Economics students take on a median of $24,474 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,979. Set against $24,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. More on Suny At Albany
American University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical Economics student debt is $22,625. American University alumni report median earnings of $77,370 a decade after entry. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. Get the full American University report
Portland State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. The median Economics program debt is $24,949. Median earnings reach $57,906 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. See the full Portland State University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
The University Of Montana ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Set in Missoula, MT, The University Of Montana is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Median earnings reach $44,511 ten years out. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%. Get the full The University Of Montana report
University Of Toledo offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Based in Toledo, OH, University Of Toledo is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. University Of Toledo Economics students take on a median of $24,923 in debt. University Of Toledo alumni report median earnings of $50,632 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo has an acceptance rate of 92%. See the full University Of Toledo profile
Wayne State University landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Graduates carry a median of $24,681 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. More on Wayne State University
Arapahoe Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Arapahoe Community College
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Get the full Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus report
Jacksonville State University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Jacksonville State University report
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College placed #32 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College
San Jose State University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full San Jose State University report
Southern Methodist University placed #34 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Read more about Southern Methodist University
University Of San Diego landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of San Diego report
Hope International University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Hope International University
Saint Leo University came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. More on Saint Leo University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Sweet Briar College placed #39 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Read more about Sweet Briar College
University Of Rochester offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about University Of Rochester
Farmingdale State College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Farmingdale State College
Illinois College
Illinois College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Get the full Illinois College report
Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Pittsburg State University placed #44 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. More on Pittsburg State University
Berea College
Berea College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Berea College profile
Campbellsville University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. More on Campbellsville University
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. See the full Metropolitan State College Of Denver profile
Santa Clara University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Santa Clara University
Arizona State University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Arizona State University profile
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Read the full report on Chandler Gilbert Community College
Related Economics Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Economics Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Economics Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Economics Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Economics Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Economics Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Economics Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 937 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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