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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Economics in the Plains States Region

84 Ranked Colleges
2,132 Degrees Awarded
$30,000 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region

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 “Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 49,055 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,132 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,488 and $23,349 respectively.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region” ranking analyzed 84 colleges that offered a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in economics.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 “Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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.

Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region economics students.

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 417 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at UMN Twin Cities

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Fort Hays State University. The school came in at #2 for the Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region. Located in Hays, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 152 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Economics at FHSU

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

Out of the 84 schools in the Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 135 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at Iowa

4
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University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Kansas. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full KU Economics Report

5

Out of the 84 schools in the Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #5 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 115 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Economics at University of Missouri - Columbia

6

Washington University in St Louis ranked #6 on this year’s Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. WUSTL is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 110 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full WUSTL Economics Report

7
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, Minnesota

St Olaf College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Northfield, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 90 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Economics at St. Olaf

8
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Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Macalester College did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #8. Macalester is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Macalester College

9

With a ranking of #9, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 51 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UST MN Economics Report

10

Iowa State University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Iowa State is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 50 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at Iowa State

11
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Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska

Creighton University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 45 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full Creighton Economics Report

12
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, Iowa

Grinnell College ranked #12 on this year’s Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Grinnell College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Grinnell, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Grinnell College

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Economics at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

14
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Manhattan, Kansas, and it awarded 37 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at K -State

15
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Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Carleton College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Carleton is located in Northfield, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at Carleton

16

University of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and it awarded 28 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at University of Northern Iowa

16

University of Missouri - Kansas City came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 28 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 UMKC Economics Report

18
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South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 27 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read more about Economics at South Dakota State University

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 27 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at UMN Duluth

18

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #18 on this year’s Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Read more about Economics at University of Missouri - St Louis

18
SJU crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, Minnesota

With a ranking of #18, Saint Johns University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Collegeville, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Johns University Economics Report

22
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #22. Truman State is a small school located in Kirksville, Missouri that handed out 23 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Truman State University Economics Report

23
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University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. UND is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UND

24

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Missouri State University - Springfield

25

University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Economics Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Full UNOMAHA Economics Report

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