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2024 Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region

50 Colleges in the Plains States Region
2,132 Economics Degrees Awarded
$47,488 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in economics, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #19 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 50 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 2,132 degrees in economics to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Economics School

Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region Your choice of economics school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Economics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Economics Rankings by Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Economics
Master's Degrees in Economics
Doctor's Degrees in Economics

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 the Best Economics Schools in the Plains States Region. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

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.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Economics in the Plains States Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.

10 Top Plains States Region Schools in Economics

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
110 Economics Degrees Awarded
$61,591 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat Washington University in St Louis if you wish to pursue a degree in economics. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 110 economics students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics program at Washington University in St Louis earn $14,103 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Washington University in St Louis

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
417 Economics Degrees Awarded
1.0% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in economics needs to check out University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were roughly 417 economics students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities get an earnings boost of around $2,832 above the typical earnings of economics majors.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

3
Grinnell crest
Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
41 Economics Degrees Awarded
$56,661 Median Starting Salary

Grinnell College is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in economics. Located in the remote town of Grinnell, Grinnell is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #103 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Grinnell is a great college overall.

There were about 41 economics students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell in the most recent data year. Those economics students who get their degree from Grinnell College earn $9,173 more than the average economics graduate.

More information about a degree in economics from Grinnell College

4
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$60,032 Median Starting Salary
$17,322 Median Student Debt

Carleton College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in economics. Carleton is a small private not-for-profit college located in the town of Northfield. A Best Colleges rank of #93 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Carleton is a great college overall.

There were about 30 economics students who graduated with this degree at Carleton in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics major at Carleton College get $12,544 more than the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from Carleton College

5
St. Olaf crest
St Olaf College
Northfield, MN
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
90 Economics Degrees Awarded
$56,177 Median Starting Salary

St. Olaf is a small private not-for-profit college located in the distant town of Northfield. A Best Colleges rank of #190 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means St. Olaf is a great college overall.

There were approximately 90 economics students who graduated with this degree at St. Olaf in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics program at St Olaf College get $8,689 more than the standard college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from St Olaf College

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
135 Economics Degrees Awarded
$42,807 Median Starting Salary

Iowa is a very large public university located in the small city of Iowa City. A Best Colleges rank of #84 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Iowa is a great university overall.

There were approximately 135 economics students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the economics program make around $42,807 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Iowa

7
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
118 Economics Degrees Awarded
$43,144 Median Starting Salary

KU is a fairly large public university located in the city of Lawrence. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means KU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 118 economics students who graduated with this degree at KU in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the economics program earn an average of $43,144 for their early career.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Kansas

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
51 Economics Degrees Awarded
9.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Saint Paul, UST MN is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #143 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UST MN is a great university overall.

There were approximately 51 economics students who graduated with this degree at UST MN in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the economics program earn an average of $46,741 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in economics from University of St Thomas Minnesota

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
115 Economics Degrees Awarded
6.1% Growth in Graduates

Mizzou is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia. A Best Colleges rank of #124 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Mizzou is a great university overall.

There were about 115 economics students who graduated with this degree at Mizzou in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the economics program state that they receive average early career income of $44,765.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Missouri - Columbia

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In ND
36.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Grand Forks, UND is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of North Dakota.

There were about 25 economics students who graduated with this degree at UND in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in economics from University of North Dakota

Best Economics Colleges by State

Explore the best economics schools for a specific state in the Plains States Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Minnesota 284 847
Missouri 283 418
Kansas 266 343
Iowa 264 321
Nebraska 238 111
North Dakota 210 38
South Dakota 204 43

View All Rankings >

Economics is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

Economics Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
General Economics 1,215
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics 609
International Economics 156
Applied Economics 105
Development Economics & International Development 25
Other Economics 22

View All Economics Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Economics

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 2,307
Sociology 1,248
Anthropology 580
General Social Sciences 520
Geography & Cartography 494
International Relations & National Security 410
Other Social Sciences 171
Urban Studies 73
Sociology & Anthropology 48
Archeology 16

View All Economics Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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