Cheapest Economics Colleges in Georgia

Young Harris College offers economics majors a net cost of just $11,008, making it the most affordable option among Georgia's 16 programs. This mountain campus undercuts even public universities like Georgia Tech ($13,289) and UGA ($13,816), creating an unusual pricing market where private education costs less than state schools. Georgia's economics graduates enter a state economy driven by Atlanta's Fortune 500 headquarters, including Coca-Cola and Home Depot, plus the port of Savannah handling 40% of East Coast container traffic. The earnings gap tells another story entirely. Emory graduates average $62,632 while University of West Georgia alumni start at $28,598, representing a $34,000 difference that reflects both institutional selectivity and regional job placement. Georgia's HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition at public colleges for students maintaining a 3.0 GPA, explaining why schools like Georgia Southern ($5,905 in-state) become essentially free for qualifying residents.

Programs

$11,008 – $36,828

Net Price Range

$44,015

Avg. Program Earnings

61.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Economics Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia	$11,008	$32,305	45.7%	77.3%
2	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
3	University of Georgia Athens, Georgia	$13,816	$11,180	87.2%	42.6%
4	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528	$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
5	University of West Georgia Carrollton, Georgia	$15,450	$5,971	42.7%	80.1%
6	Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia	$15,931	$8,478	53.7%	66.8%
7	Shorter University Rome, Georgia	$16,286	$24,044	37.1%	97.5%
8	Georgia Southern University Statesboro, Georgia	$16,531	$5,905	52.1%	88.9%
9	Strayer University-Georgia Chamblee, Georgia	$18,224	$13,920	23.1%
10	Oglethorpe University Atlanta, Georgia	$21,735	$45,806	53.9%	71.0%
11	Mercer University Macon, Georgia	$22,350	$40,890	73.4%	74.7%
12	Emory University Atlanta, Georgia	$23,911	$60,774	91.8%	11.4%
13	Agnes Scott College Decatur, Georgia	$24,224	$48,150	70.5%	66.5%
14	Covenant College Lookout Mountain, Georgia	$24,832	$40,464	71.9%	84.1%
15	Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia	$35,949	$31,725	52.7%	60.0%
16	Spelman College Atlanta, Georgia	$36,828	$30,058	76.1%	28.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Young Harris College charging less than public universities?

Young Harris College's $11,008 net cost beats Georgia Tech's $13,289 and UGA's $13,816 despite being private. Small liberal arts colleges often use aggressive need-based aid to fill seats, especially those in rural areas. Young Harris serves just over 1,200 students in the North Georgia mountains. However, their 45.70% graduation rate suggests affordability comes with academic trade-offs compared to the 90%+ rates at flagship state schools.

How does the HOPE Scholarship affect economics program costs?

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship covers full tuition for students with 3.0+ GPAs, making public universities extremely affordable. University of West Georgia charges just $5,971 in-state tuition, essentially free with HOPE. Georgia Southern costs $5,905 in-state. This explains why public schools dominate the affordable end despite higher net costs for out-of-state students. Private colleges must compete against nearly free public education for Georgia residents.

Is there a correlation between program cost and graduate earnings?

Emory's $23,911 net cost produces the highest earnings at $62,632, while University of West Georgia's $15,450 cost yields $28,598 in graduate income. However, the relationship isn't perfectly linear. UGA costs just $13,816 but generates $46,869 in earnings, beating much more expensive private options. Location matters significantly since Atlanta-area programs typically show higher earning potential than rural campuses.

Does Georgia Tech's economics program justify its selective admission?

Georgia Tech accepts only 17.13% of applicants, the lowest rate among these 16 schools, while maintaining a $13,289 net cost. Their 92.30% graduation rate ranks second only to Emory's 91.80%. Tech's economics program benefits from proximity to Atlanta's business district and the school's engineering reputation. The combination of selectivity, retention, and location creates strong job placement despite earnings data not being available for this program.

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