2026 Best Economics Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Our analysis ranked Washington University In St Louis the best school in the country for a degree in economics. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 129 economics students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $66,325 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,110. Get the full economics details for Washington University In St Louis

2

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 255 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,902 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

3

Saint Louis University Main Campus
Saint Louis, MO

A rank of #3 makes Saint Louis University Main Campus one of the top schools for economics. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 11 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $65,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,586. Read more about the economics program at Saint Louis University Main Campus

4

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 32 economics degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $66,567. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the economics program at Carleton College

5

Grinnell College
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in economics, ranking #5. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Grinnell College awarded about 38 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $46,791 early in their careers. Grinnell College graduates carry a median of $16,950 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Grinnell College

6

University Of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND

University Of North Dakota earned the #6 position for economics this year. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. University Of North Dakota graduates 60% of students within six years. About 20 economics degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110. Read more about the economics program at University Of North Dakota

7

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 79 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $50,223 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,407 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Iowa

8

Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College placed #8 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 46 economics degrees were awarded at Macalester College in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Macalester College earn around $59,752 in the first couple years of their career. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Macalester College

9

University Of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO

University Of Missouri Kansas City landed the #9 spot for economics this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 20 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Missouri Kansas City earn around $60,324 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. See the full economics program report for University Of Missouri Kansas City

10

University Of Missouri Columbia
Columbia, MO

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 196 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $52,635 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,815. Read more about the economics program at University Of Missouri Columbia

11

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #11 position for economics this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 183 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $44,898 early in their careers. Missouri State University Springfield graduates carry a median of $19,793 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Missouri State University Springfield

12

St Olaf College
Northfield, MN

St Olaf College earned the #12 position for economics this year. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 60 economics students who graduated with this degree at St Olaf College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from St Olaf College earn around $56,238 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the economics program at St Olaf College

13

University Of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN

University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #13 among the best economics schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 44 economics degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn around $60,323 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,600. More information about a degree in economics from University Of St Thomas Minnesota

14

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University came in at #14 for economics this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. Iowa State University awarded about 26 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $57,619. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,414 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Iowa State University

15

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. About 73% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 economics students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $56,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273. See the full economics program report for Drake University

16

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Truman State University awarded about 12 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $23,168. More information about a degree in economics from Truman State University

17

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 10 economics degrees were awarded at Lindenwood University in the most recent year. Students who receive their economics degree from Lindenwood University earn around $48,197 in the first couple years of their career. Lindenwood University graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Lindenwood University

18

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #18 for economics this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 57 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386. Get the full economics details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

19

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University landed the #19 spot for economics this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Kansas State University graduates 71% of students within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 16 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $52,490. Students borrow a median of $20,312 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for Kansas State University

20

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University earned the #20 position for economics this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Creighton University awarded about 20 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $54,827. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. See the full economics program report for Creighton University

21

Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, MN

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #21 for economics this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 14 economics students who graduated with this degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $52,439 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,474. Read more about the economics program at Gustavus Adolphus College

22

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #22 spot for economics this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 54 economics students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Kansas earn around $45,420 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at University Of Kansas

23

Wichita State University
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University landed the #23 spot for economics this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 10 economics degrees were awarded at Wichita State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Wichita State University

24

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #24 among the best economics schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 15 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $53,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,474. More information about a degree in economics from Minnesota State University Mankato

25

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #25 spot for economics this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 11 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Economics graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $50,873 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. See the full economics program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth