2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for general economics in the The Plains States Region. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for general economics. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general 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. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Dakota State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for general economics. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,153. General Economics graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $54,076 early in their careers. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. 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, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,962 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $46,583. Set against $22,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,056 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,076. Set against $25,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Dakota earned the #7 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Kansas placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Iowa State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,414 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $57,619 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #10 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $50,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,474 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. General Economics graduates carry a median of $20,312 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $52,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,312 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #13 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $14,110 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $66,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,110 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #14 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,815 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $52,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,815 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #15 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. General Economics graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $44,663 early in their careers. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #16 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,407. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $50,223. That is a strong return on a $22,407 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,474. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $52,439. Set against $24,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
St Olaf College placed #18 among the best values for general economics. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. General Economics graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $56,238 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Luther College came in at #19 for value in general economics this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,967 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Set against $26,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
Saint Johns University earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. Students from in state pay about $55,816 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saint Johns University generally make around $47,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Drake University placed #21 among the best values for general economics. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,273. General Economics graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #22 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $60,323. Set against $24,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Creighton University landed the #23 spot for general economics value this year. Creighton University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $48,856. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $54,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
