2027 Best Economics Schools in Iowa
Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for economics students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Economics in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall economics education in Iowa.
Top Schools in Economics
Our analysis ranked Grinnell College the best school in the country for a degree in economics. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Grinnell. Grinnell College graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 economics students who graduated with this degree at Grinnell College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Grinnell College earn around $46,791 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,950.
Read more about the economics program at Grinnell College
Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at Drake University, which ranked #2. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 10 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Drake University earn around $56,228 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for Drake University
University Of Iowa came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 73 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $50,223 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,407 in student loans.
Read more about the economics program at University Of Iowa
A rank of #4 makes Iowa State University one of the top schools for economics. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 economics degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $57,619 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,414.
Get the full economics details for Iowa State University
Luther College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. Luther College awarded about 10 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Luther College earn around $42,426 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,967.
More information about a degree in economics from Luther College
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 5 schools evaluated.
- 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.
