2025 Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region
36
Colleges in the Plains States Region
1,990
Economics Degrees Awarded
$55,327
Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in
economics, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #19 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.
College Factual looked at 36 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 1,990 degrees in economics to qualified students.
Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings
Choosing a Great Economics School
Your choice of economics school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Economics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.
Economics Rankings by Degree Level
The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region.
More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you.
Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Read more about College Factual's methodology.
Best Schools for Economics in the Plains States Region
If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
10 Top Plains States Region Schools in Economics
Every student pursuing a degree in economics needs to take a look at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.
There were roughly 316 economics students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the economics program state that they receive average early career earnings of $56,902.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
It's difficult to beat Washington University in St Louis if you wish to pursue a degree in economics. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #21 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.
There were roughly 120 economics students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year. Economics degree recipients from Washington University in St Louis earn a boost of approximately $10,998 over the typical earnings of economics graduates.
More information about a degree in economics from Washington University in St Louis
Masters
Degree Type
MS in Applied Economics
Program Name
If you're the kind of person who enjoys working with numbers and solving tough problems, a graduate degree in economics may be for you.
More information about a degree in MS in Applied Economics from Southern New Hampshire University
University of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in economics. Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #80 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.
There were approximately 112 economics students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. After graduating, economics degree recipients usually earn an average of $50,223 at the beginning of their careers.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Iowa
Any student pursuing a degree in economics has to check out St Olaf College. St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Northfield. This college ranks 6th out of 52 colleges for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were about 80 economics students who graduated with this degree at St. Olaf in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, economics degree recipients usually earn about $56,238 in the first five years of their career.
More information about a degree in economics from St Olaf College
Carleton is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Northfield. A Best Colleges rank of #245 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Carleton is a great college overall.
There were approximately 34 economics students who graduated with this degree at Carleton in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from Carleton College make $11,240 more than the average economics graduate.
More information about a degree in economics from Carleton College
KU is a very large public university located in the city of Lawrence. A Best Colleges rank of #192 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.
There were roughly 74 economics students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the economics program report average early career income of $45,420.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Kansas
Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 4th out of 37 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.
There were roughly 46 economics students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the economics program earn an average of $46,791 in their early career salary.
More information about a degree in economics from Grinnell College
Macalester is a small private not-for-profit college located in the large city of Saint Paul. This college ranks 8th out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.
There were about 49 economics students who graduated with this degree at Macalester in the most recent data year. Those economics students who get their degree from Macalester College make $4,425 more than the typical economics graduate.
More information about a degree in economics from Macalester College
Located in the city of Saint Paul, UST MN is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #106 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UST MN is a great university overall.
There were roughly 62 economics students who graduated with this degree at UST MN in the most recent data year. Economics degree recipients from University of St Thomas Minnesota earn a boost of about $4,996 over the average income of economics graduates.
More information about a degree in economics from University of St Thomas Minnesota
Doctor's Degree
Highest Degree Type
2nd
Most Popular In NE
UNL is a fairly large public university located in the city of Lincoln. A Best Colleges rank of #207 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UNL is a great university overall.
There were roughly 28 economics students who graduated with this degree at UNL in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in economics from University of Nebraska - Lincoln
