Skip to main content

Economics Colleges Under $15,000

Programs with net price under $15,000. See our methodology.

CUNY Baruch College produces Economics graduates earning $48,432 annually while charging just $2,978 in net costs, creating one of the strongest value propositions in American higher education. This performance gap reveals how concentrated urban markets can deliver outsized returns for Economics majors. New York's financial sector employs more than 320,000 workers, creating direct pathways for Economics graduates into banking, investment management, and policy analysis roles. The CUNY system dominates this affordable Economics market, claiming 9 of the 15 top programs with costs under $6,000. California State schools also feature prominently, though their graduates typically earn less than their East Coast counterparts. Berea College stands alone as the only private institution offering Economics training at these price points, charging $4,483 net while maintaining a selective 24.58% acceptance rate. The earnings range spans from $26,353 to $52,733, demonstrating how regional job markets and institutional connections can double graduate outcomes even within similar cost structures.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $10,043
Net Price Range
$40,289
Avg. Program Earnings
49.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
4 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
5 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
6 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
7 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
8 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
9 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
10 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
11 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
12 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
13 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
14 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
15 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
16 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
17 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
18 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
19 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
20 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
21 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
22 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
23 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
24 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
25 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
26 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
27 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
28 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
29 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
30 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
31 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
32 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
33 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
34 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
35 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
36 $8,543 $9,000 36.3% 56.3%
37 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
38 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
39 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
40 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
41 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
42 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
43 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
44 $9,477 $11,320 19.6% 57.5%
45 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
46 $9,792 $6,817 53.5% 89.7%
47 $9,900 $8,379 46.6% 92.1%
48 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
49 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
50 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings gap between Economics programs under $15,000?

Location drives the biggest differences in Economics graduate earnings within affordable programs. CUNY Baruch graduates earn $48,432 annually compared to Brooklyn College's $26,353, despite similar $3,000 net costs. Baruch's proximity to Wall Street and stronger alumni networks in finance create direct pathways to higher-paying roles. California State Fullerton also reaches $52,733 in graduate earnings, benefiting from Orange County's aerospace and technology sectors that value economic analysis skills.

How do CUNY Economics programs compare to California State options?

CUNY schools generally offer better value with lower net costs and stronger graduate earnings potential. CUNY programs average around $3,500 in net costs while California State schools like Dominguez Hills and Los Angeles charge similar amounts but lack earnings data. CUNY Hunter achieves the lowest net cost at $2,446 while producing graduates earning $39,523. California State Fullerton represents the exception with $52,733 graduate earnings, though at a higher $5,646 net cost.

Is Berea College worth considering over public Economics programs?

Berea College charges $4,483 net cost while maintaining a 62% graduation rate, significantly higher than most affordable public options. The school's work-study program and small class sizes create different learning experiences than large public universities. However, Berea lacks graduate earnings data, making direct value comparisons difficult. Students should weigh the liberal arts environment against CUNY schools like Baruch that offer clear pathways to high-paying Economics careers in finance.

Does graduation rate matter more than cost for Economics programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically among affordable Economics programs, from 20% at Ohio University-Eastern to 72% at CUNY Baruch. Higher graduation rates often correlate with better support systems and academic preparation that help students complete degrees and enter the workforce. CUNY Baruch combines a 72% graduation rate with $48,432 graduate earnings, while CSU Fullerton achieves 69% graduation rates alongside $52,733 earnings. Lower graduation rates can indicate programs struggling to support student success despite affordable pricing.

Where do most affordable Economics programs cluster geographically?

New York dominates affordable Economics education through the CUNY system, which operates 9 programs under $6,000 in net costs. California provides the second-largest concentration through CSU campuses, though with more variable outcomes. Ohio offers limited options through regional university branches, but with concerning 19-20% graduation rates. The geographic concentration reflects state funding priorities and urban job markets that can support Economics graduates, particularly in financial services and government sectors.

More Economics Rankings

Cheapest Economics Best Value Economics

Related

All Economics Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.