Best colleges for Economics in Iowa
Ranked by graduate earnings
Iowa State University, University of Iowa and Grinnell College are the top bachelor's Economics programs in Iowa by graduate earnings. Iowa State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,619, College Scorecard. University of Iowa, Grinnell College and Iowa State University award the most Economics degrees in Iowa: 73, 46 and 41 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Iowa colleges offer Economics and award 211 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
Top 5 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University Ames Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,619 | 41 | 75% | — | $23,414 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public · Bachelor's degree | $50,223 | 73 | 75% | — | $22,407 |
| 3 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,791 | 46 | 88% | $14,470 | $16,950 |
| 4 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $49,314 | 6 | 68% | — | $17,169 |
| 5 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,311 | 5 | 66% | $18,153 | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Economics degrees in Iowa
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Iowa Iowa City Public | 73 | $50,223 |
| 2 | Grinnell College Grinnell Private not-for-profit | 46 | $46,791 |
| 3 | Iowa State University Ames Public | 41 | $57,619 |
| 4 | Drake University Des Moines Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 5 | Luther College Decorah Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls Public | 6 | $49,314 |
| 7 | Coe College Cedar Rapids Private not-for-profit | 5 | $42,311 |
| 8 | Simpson College Indianola Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | Central College Pella Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 10 | Wartburg College Waverly Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Iowa colleges offering Economics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graceland University - Lamoni | Lamoni | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Saint Ambrose University | Davenport | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Dordt University | Sioux Center | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| University of Dubuque | Dubuque | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Northwestern College | Orange City | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Economists (SOC 19-3011).
Top skills
What Economists earn in Iowa
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Economics programs in Iowa.
Which Iowa colleges award the most Economics degrees?+
University of Iowa (73 graduates a year), Grinnell College (46 graduates a year) and Iowa State University (41 graduates a year) award the most Economics degrees in Iowa, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Iowa colleges offer Economics.
What is the best college for Economics in Iowa?+
By graduate earnings, Iowa State University leads among bachelor's Economics programs in Iowa, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,619, College Scorecard. University of Iowa and Grinnell College follow. By degrees awarded, University of Iowa is the largest, with 73 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Economics program in Iowa has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Iowa State University tops the list at $57,619. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Economists earn in Iowa?+
The average annual wage for Economists in Iowa is $102,020 (median $96,310), across about 70 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Economics program?+
The Economics program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It explores how economies function and how individuals respond to various incentives, making…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, mathematics, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Economists?+
The national job outlook is about +1.2% growth with around 900 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Master's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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