2027 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Applied Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/applied-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 applied economics students.
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2027 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in applied economics in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #2 place for applied economics. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,793 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $44,898. Set against $19,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #3 place for applied economics. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $25,110. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Louis University Main Campus one of the best values for applied economics. 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. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $26,586 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $65,599. Set against $26,586 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
