2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Truman State University earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in the The Plains States Region. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Students borrow a median of $23,168 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Wichita State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for general economics. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. General Economics graduates carry a median of $22,962 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $46,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #6 spot for general economics value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $56,902. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #7 for value in general economics this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $51,625. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #8 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,898. That is a strong return on a $19,793 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $25,056 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Kansas landed the #10 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,420. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University came in at #11 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $20,312 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $52,490. That is a strong return on a $20,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,414 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. General Economics graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #14 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,250. General Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $50,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Dakota ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,110. Early-career general economics graduates make about $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,474 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $21,474 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,815. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $52,635. Set against $18,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,407 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $50,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #19 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,110 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $66,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
St Olaf College placed #20 among the best values for general economics. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $56,238. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. In-state tuition and fees average $56,076. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,474 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $52,439 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Saint Johns University earned the #22 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,816. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $54,752 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Drake University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,273. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #24 spot for general economics value this year. 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. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,600 in student loans. Early-career general 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.
Creighton University placed #25 among the best values for general economics. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Creighton University earn a median of $54,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
