2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Development Economics & International Development](/majors/social-sciences/economics/development-economics-and-international-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value development economics & international development schools.
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2027 Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the development economics & international development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Development Economics & International Development Schools
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among development economics & international development schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $25,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, development economics & international development degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $54,076. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in development economics & international development will find it at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. Development Economics & International Development graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Development Economics & International Development graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $60,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.