2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Minnesota

[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Minnesota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in economics in Minnesota. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Minnesota Duluth one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the economics program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
A rank of #3 makes Minnesota State University Mankato one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,474 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $21,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Gustavus Adolphus College one of the best values for economics. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,474 in student loans. Economics graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $52,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Olaf College earned it the #5 place for 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $56,238. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Carleton College earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $66,567. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carleton College admits about 20% of applicants.
Saint Johns University placed #7 among the best values for economics. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $54,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #8 among the best values for economics. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $24,600 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,323. Set against $24,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of St Thomas Minnesota admits about 85% of applicants.
Macalester College landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Macalester College generally make around $59,752. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.