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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

16 Ranked Colleges
154 Degrees Awarded
$23,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Master's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 the Plains States region, there were 2,353 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,270 and $21,774 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 154 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Washington University in St Louis Economics Report

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at UMN Twin Cities

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - Columbia. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Columbia, Missouri, and it awarded 26 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mizzou has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Mizzou

#4

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 8 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UMSL also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - St Louis are $30,154.

Read full report on Economics at UMSL

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Iowa State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa State are $25,948.

Full Iowa State University Economics Report

#6 in overall quality

North Dakota State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Dakota State University - Main Campus are $11,589, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full North Dakota State University - Main Campus Economics Report

#7

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota
#12 in overall quality

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 3 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

St. Cloud State University also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Economics at St. Cloud State University

#8

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of North Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand Forks, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

UND not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Dakota are $18,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UND Economics Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Economics Report

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 1 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNL has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Nebraska - Lincoln Economics Report

#11

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#10 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 9 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region master’s degree economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMKC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMKC are $26,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Economics at University of Missouri - Kansas City

#12

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota
#7 in overall quality

South Dakota State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 9 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

South Dakota State also made our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at South Dakota State University are $16,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at South Dakota State

#13

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#8 in overall quality

Kansas State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at K -State are $24,115.

Full K -State Economics Report

#14

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

Saint Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s economics degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

SLU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SLU are $22,074, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Economics at Saint Louis University

#15

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#5 in overall quality

University of Kansas landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 13 masters’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

KU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at University of Kansas

#14 in overall quality

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 13 degrees to qualified masters’s economics students in 2019-2020.

SMU MN also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota are $10,260, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Economics at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

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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.

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