An internal/external efficiency evaluation on the economic implications of mastery learning is presented. Two important aspects of mastery learning are: (1) its intrinsic worth regardless of economic benefits, and (2) the necessary changes in the social and economic structure that will make the mastery learning approach increasingly functional. It is pointed out that the mastery learning approach has a very humane quality in its concern with equalizing outcomes. There are important societal changes in the offing that will increase the functionality of this approach. It is concluded that the economic importance of the mastery-learning strategy will rise substantially over the foreseeable future. (Author/CK)