2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
53
Ranked Colleges
2,132
Degrees Awarded
$10,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Economics is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 2,132 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,488 and $23,349 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 53 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Economics Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 110 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at WUSTL, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full WUSTL Economics Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 417 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMN Twin Cities Economics Report
Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 30 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.
Carleton also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Carleton College is $6,208 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Economics at Carleton College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for UMN Morris is $3,941 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at UMN Morris
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Macalester College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 57 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Macalester, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,926 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Macalester.
With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Economics at Macalester
Grinnell College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grinnell, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
Grinnell also took the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,835 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Grinnell.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Grinnell College Economics Report
University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Minnesota - Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 27 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also took the #22 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $7,843 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at UMN Duluth
With a ranking of #8, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $9,766 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Iowa State Economics Report
St Olaf College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. St Olaf College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northfield, Minnesota. It awarded 90 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Olaf, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Olaf is $11,112 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at St Olaf College
University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 115 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mizzou, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Columbia is $11,005 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Economics at University of Missouri - Columbia
Truman State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $7,208 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Full Truman State Economics Report
University of Iowa came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 135 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Iowa.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at Iowa
University of Northern Iowa landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 28 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $10,513 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at UNI
University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,991 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at University of Missouri - St Louis
University of North Dakota ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 25 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UND has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,394 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Dakota.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at University of North Dakota
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lincoln, Nebraska is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNL has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $11,672 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Economics at UNL
With a ranking of #17, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Kansas is a public institution located in Lawrence, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, KU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,666 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Kansas.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at University of Kansas
North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. North Dakota State University is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
North Dakota State University also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University is $11,835 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Economics Report
With a ranking of #19, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gustavus Adolphus is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 19 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus College is $15,735 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Gustavus Adolphus College Economics Report
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $10,359 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Economics at Southeast Missouri State University
University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $10,578 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Economics at UNOMAHA
Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full St. Cloud State University Economics Report
With a ranking of #23, Fort Hays State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 152 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend FHSU is $9,774 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Economics at Fort Hays State University
Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 11 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend MSU Moorhead is $12,675 for plains states region economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Economics Report
Saint Johns University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Collegeville, Minnesota. It awarded 27 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SJU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Johns University is $15,314 for Plains States Region Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Johns University Economics Report
