Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

20 Ranked Colleges
838 Degrees Awarded
$13,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Economics is the 18th most popular major in the country with 48,831 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across Minnesota, there were 891 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,580 and $22,420 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 838 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,526 and $26,035 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 20 colleges that offered a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the economics program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Minnesota

#1

Carleton College

Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 45 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Carleton also took the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Carleton is $9,579 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Carleton College

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 376 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,266 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Economics Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k. Morris, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

UMN Morris did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. It costs about $4,230 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Morris.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Morris Economics Report

#4

St Olaf College

Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, St Olaf College landed the #4 spot on the list. St. Olaf is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 107 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Olaf also took the #2 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $12,459 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend St. Olaf.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at St. Olaf

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMN Duluth is a fairly large public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 27 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $7,443 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UMN Duluth.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UMN Duluth

#6

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, Macalester College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 55 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Macalester also took the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $10,158 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Macalester Economics Report

#7

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota
#14 in overall quality

Bemidji State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji State University is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bemidji State University also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bemidji State University is $10,632 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Bemidji State University

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Mankato, Minnesota, and it awarded 25 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Minnesota State Mankato also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $11,057 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Minnesota State Mankato.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Economics Report

#9

Saint Johns University

Collegeville, Minnesota

Saint Johns University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Johns University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Collegeville, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, SJU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $14,683 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SJU.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Johns University Economics Report

#10

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Cloud State University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for St. Cloud State University is $10,688 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saint Cloud State University Economics Report

#11

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota

With a ranking of #11, Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Gustavus Adolphus also took the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. It costs about $12,150 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Gustavus Adolphus College

#12

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #12, Winona State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 5 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $12,381 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Winona State University

#16 in overall quality

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $12,484 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full MSU Moorhead Economics Report

#14

College of Saint Benedict

Saint Joseph, Minnesota

With a ranking of #14, College of Saint Benedict did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSB is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Joseph, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CSB did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for CSB is $17,143 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Economics at College of Saint Benedict

#15

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #15, St Catherine University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. St. Kate’s is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 11 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Kate’s also took the #13 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend St Catherine University is $15,102 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Kate’s Economics Report

#16

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #16, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metro State is a medium-sized school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Metro State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan State University is $14,388 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Metropolitan State University Economics Report

#17

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hamline University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hamline University is $17,038 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Hamline

#18

Augsburg University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, Augsburg University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augsburg is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Augsburg also took the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Augsburg University is $21,179 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Augsburg Economics Report

#19

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #19, Bethel University Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bethel University Minnesota is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Bethel University Minnesota also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Bethel University Minnesota is $18,396 for Minnesota Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Bethel University Minnesota Economics Report

#20

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Minnesota For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 46 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UST MN also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Minnesota” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $27,460 for minnesota bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of St Thomas Minnesota.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Economics Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

Featured Economics Schools

Find Schools Near You