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2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region

62 Ranked Colleges
2,109 Degrees Awarded
$16,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 2,109 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 62 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics in the Plains States Region

#1

Bemidji State University

Bemidji, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bemidji State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region. Bemidji State University is located in Bemidji, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,868 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend Bemidji State University.

Read more about Economics at Bemidji State University

#2

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Park University landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Parkville, Missouri, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,579 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Park University.

Read more about Economics at Park University

#3

South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 37 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $19,252 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State University Economics Report

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 19 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $16,584 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Economics Report

#5

Truman State University

Kirksville, Missouri

Out of the 62 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Truman State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Truman State is located in Kirksville, Missouri and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Truman State is $12,462 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Truman State Economics Report

University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 15 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Morris is $11,412 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

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%.

Read more about Economics at UMN Morris

#7

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 37 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,620 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at UNI

#8

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

University of South Dakota did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #8. University of South Dakota is a medium-sized public school situated in Vermillion, South Dakota. It awarded 21 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $18,555 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of South Dakota

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $17,067 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Minnesota - Duluth

Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $16,221 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Minnesota State University - Mankato

#11

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Saint Charles, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,491 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Lindenwood University Economics Report

#12

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. UND is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $15,738 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UND

With a ranking of #13, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Moorhead is $16,893 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at MSU Moorhead

#14

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,656 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Winona State Economics Report

Fort Hays State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 124 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,053 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Fort Hays State University.

Full FHSU Economics Report

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 47 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $15,496 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State University Economics Report

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri State is a public institution located in Springfield, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Missouri State University - Springfield is $16,725 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Full Missouri State University - Springfield Economics Report

#18

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 8 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $14,267 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

Read more about Economics at St. Cloud State University

#19

Central College

Pella, Iowa

Central College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. Central is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pella, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Central College is $23,269 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

The low student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Central Economics Report

#20

Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #20, Metropolitan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,225 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Metro State.

Read more about Economics at Metropolitan State University

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Maryville, Missouri, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $12,354 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Read more about Economics at Northwest

#22

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #22. University of Central Missouri is a public institution located in Warrensburg, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Missouri is $13,677 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Economics students.

Full UCM Economics Report

#23

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 121 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kansas is $18,918 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at KU

University of Nebraska at Omaha ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region list. UNOMAHA is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska at Omaha is $14,040 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Economics Report

#25

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. UMN Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 376 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $17,740 for plains states region bachelor’s degree economics students per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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

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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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