The Journal of Benefit-cost Analysis is an academic journal focused on the field of cost-benefit analysis, which provides a platform for multidisciplinary exchange and publication of theoretical and empirical research across a wide range of fields, including economics, public policy, social sciences, and environmental sciences. The journal places particular emphasis on rigorous cost-benefit assessments of public policies and programs to support decision makers in making more informed choices in resource allocation and policy making.

The journal's content includes not only theoretical discussions, but also extensive empirical analysis and case studies that delve into the costs and benefits of different social programs and policies. Examples include the impact of education programs on improving human capital, the social benefits of crime prevention measures, the contribution of health policies to public health, the economic effects of poverty reduction strategies, the employment effects of labor market policies, and the improvement of social welfare by housing policies.