2027 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Business Economics](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-managerial-economics/business-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business economics students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Business Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Business Economics Schools
Leading the list is Wichita State University, our #1 best value for business economics in the The Plains States Region. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for business economics graduates is $23,448. Business Economics graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in business economics will find it at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,573 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Set against $23,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #3 place for business economics. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the business economics program here. Business Economics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $106,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the business economics program here. Early-career business economics graduates make about $49,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Narrow Business Economics Schools by State
More Business Economics Rankings
View All Business Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
