2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Missouri
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in Missouri
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
Our analysis ranked Truman State University the best value for a degree in general economics in Missouri. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,168 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $23,168 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for general economics. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $22,962. General Economics graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $46,583 early in their careers. Set against $22,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for general economics. 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, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $41,076. That is a strong return on a $25,056 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $44,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University earned the #6 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $48,197. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #7 for value in general economics this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,815 in student loans. General Economics graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $52,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,815 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #8 for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $66,325. Set against $14,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
More General Economics Rankings
View All General Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
