2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Missouri

[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in Missouri. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. 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. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. 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, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,056 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $41,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,056 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,962. Early-career general economics graduates make about $46,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $44,898. That is a strong return on a $19,793 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,815. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,635. That is a strong return on a $18,815 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis placed #6 among the best values for general economics. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $66,325. Set against $14,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.