2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
For return on investment in economics, no school beat Truman State University this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for economics. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri St Louis earned it the #3 place for economics. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $22,962. Economics graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $46,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Grinnell College one of the best values for economics. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $16,950. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $46,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Fort Hays State University landed the #7 spot for economics value this year. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,967. Early-career economics graduates make about $50,690. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,902. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University placed #9 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,076. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,793. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $44,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #11 position for value in economics this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,056. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $41,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $45,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #13 position for value in economics this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $52,490. Set against $20,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University came in at #15 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,414 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,619. Set against $23,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lindenwood University landed the #16 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $50,873. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,474. Economics graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Set against $21,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #20 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,815 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,635. Set against $18,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa placed #21 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,407 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $50,223 early in their careers. Set against $22,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis placed #22 among the best values for economics. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $66,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
St Olaf College landed the #23 spot for economics value this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career economics graduates make about $56,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #24 position for value in economics this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Students borrow a median of $24,474 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,439. Set against $24,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $65,599. That is a strong return on a $26,586 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for economics this year:
Narrow Economics Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
