2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Applied Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/applied-economics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong applied economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied economics schools.
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2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Economics Schools
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #1 spot for value among applied economics schools in the The Plains States Region. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the applied economics program here. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $56,902. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in applied economics will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $19,793. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $46,503. That is a strong return on a $19,793 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #3 place for applied economics. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the applied economics program here. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the applied economics program here. Applied Economics graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
