2026 Best Value Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Economics graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 937 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Business Degree Central evaluated schools to build 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:
Our analysis found Webster University to be the best-value Economics school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Louis, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,750. Webster University Economics students take on a median of $25,939 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,876 ten years after entry. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants. Get the full Webster University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valparaiso University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in Valparaiso, IN, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Valparaiso University Economics students take on a median of $26,724 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,191 ten years after entry. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full Valparaiso University profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #3 place in the United States. Set in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. See the full University Of North Dakota profile
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #4 on this year's best-value Economics ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Springfield, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. Missouri State University Springfield alumni report median earnings of $49,827 a decade after entry. Set against $19,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #5 on this year's best-value Economics ranking in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median Economics program debt is $24,700. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,424 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 50%. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Emporia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Emporia State University Economics students take on a median of $23,131 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted. See the full Emporia State University profile
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical Economics student debt is $24,521. Colorado School Of Mines alumni report median earnings of $97,335 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
Western Kentucky University placed #8 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Based in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Economics program here. Median earnings reach $43,889 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. More on Western Kentucky University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Based in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical Economics student debt is $24,673. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte alumni report median earnings of $57,289 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. The median Economics program debt is $19,026. New Mexico State University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $39,067 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Main Campus
Ball State University placed #11 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Located in Muncie, IN, Ball State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $22,054 to complete their Economics program here. Median earnings reach $51,833 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about Ball State University
Georgia Southern University placed #12 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. This public school is set in Statesboro, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants. Read more about Georgia Southern University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Fordham University placed #14 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $85,569 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%. Get the full Fordham University report
University Of Chicago came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $13,197 to complete their Economics program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $91,885 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Johns Hopkins University placed #16 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $12,494 in student loans. Johns Hopkins University alumni report median earnings of $87,555 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,494 median debt. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. More on Johns Hopkins University
Claremont Graduate University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Claremont, CA. Claremont Graduate University alumni report median earnings of $64,372 a decade after entry. Get the full Claremont Graduate University report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #18 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. The median Economics program debt is $24,977. Median earnings reach $48,160 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro has an acceptance rate of 88%. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Set in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Economics program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical Economics student debt is $26,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,631. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #21 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. The median Economics program debt is $21,348. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,251 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Old Dominion University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Old Dominion University Economics students take on a median of $26,001 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Old Dominion University report
Suny At Albany placed #23 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Suny At Albany is a public school based in Albany, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. The median Economics program debt is $24,474. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants. More on Suny At Albany
American University placed #24 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical Economics student debt is $22,625. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $77,370. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants. Read the full report on American University
Portland State University placed #25 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Portland State University is a public school based in Portland, OR. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical Economics student debt is $24,949. Portland State University alumni report median earnings of $57,906 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Portland State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Economics Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
The University Of Montana ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. The University Of Montana is a public school based in Missoula, MT. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. The median Economics program debt is $24,342. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,511. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants. See the full The University Of Montana profile
University Of Toledo came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Toledo, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. University Of Toledo Economics students take on a median of $24,923 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Toledo has an acceptance rate of 92%. More on University Of Toledo
Wayne State University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Located in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,681 to complete their Economics program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,493. Set against $24,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%. Read more about Wayne State University
California State University Bakersfield offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about California State University Bakersfield
Hampshire College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. More on Hampshire College
Santa Clara University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Santa Clara University
Strayer University Maryland offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Strayer University Maryland
Strayer University Virginia placed #33 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Read the full report on Strayer University Virginia
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #34 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. See the full University Of Nevada Las Vegas profile
Utah State University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Utah State University report
Whitworth University placed #36 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. See the full Whitworth University profile
Blinn College
Blinn College placed #37 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. See the full Blinn College profile
Cosumnes River College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cosumnes River College report
Evergreen Valley College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. See the full Evergreen Valley College profile
Manhattanville College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Read the full report on Manhattanville College
Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full Northwest University College Of Adult And Professional Studies report
Strayer University North Carolina placed #42 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. More on Strayer University North Carolina
Trinity College
Trinity College placed #43 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. Get the full Trinity College report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #44 among the best-value Economics schools in the United States. More on University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
Washburn University ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Economics schools. Read more about Washburn University
West Virginia University landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. More on West Virginia University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Mount Holyoke College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Mount Holyoke College
Palomar College
Palomar College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Palomar College profile
Washington College came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Washington College report
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
The ranking above is published by Business Degree Central (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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