Best colleges for Economics in Missouri
Ranked by graduate earnings
Washington University in St Louis, University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri State University - Springfield are the top bachelor's Economics programs in Missouri by graduate earnings. Washington University in St Louis leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $66,325, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-Columbia, Washington University in St Louis and Missouri State University - Springfield award the most Economics degrees in Missouri: 195, 167 and 108 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 15 Missouri colleges offer Economics and award 578 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 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,325 | 167 | 94% | $14,126 | $14,110 |
| 2 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public · Bachelor's degree | $52,635 | 195 | 75% | — | $18,815 |
| 3 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,898 | 108 | 58% | — | $19,793 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,583 | 17 | 57% | — | $22,962 |
| 5 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,076 | 17 | 54% | — | $25,056 |
Colleges awarding the most Economics degrees in Missouri
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 Missouri-Columbia Columbia Public | 195 | $52,635 |
| 2 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis Private not-for-profit | 167 | $66,325 |
| 3 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield Public | 108 | $44,898 |
| 4 | University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 5 | Saint Louis University Saint Louis Private not-for-profit | 20 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Central Missouri Warrensburg Public | 17 | $41,076 |
| 7 | University of Missouri-St Louis Saint Louis Public | 17 | $46,583 |
| 8 | Lindenwood University Saint Charles Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 9 | Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla Public | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 5 Missouri colleges offering Economics
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drury University | Springfield | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Truman State University | Kirksville | Public | 3 |
| William Jewell College | Liberty | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Rockhurst University | Kansas City | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| William Woods University | Fulton | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Economists (SOC 19-3011).
Top skills
What Economists earn in Missouri
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Economics programs in Missouri.
Which Missouri colleges award the most Economics degrees?+
University of Missouri-Columbia (195 graduates a year), Washington University in St Louis (167 graduates a year) and Missouri State University - Springfield (108 graduates a year) award the most Economics degrees in Missouri, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 15 Missouri colleges offer Economics.
What is the best college for Economics in Missouri?+
By graduate earnings, Washington University in St Louis leads among bachelor's Economics programs in Missouri, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $66,325, College Scorecard. University of Missouri-Columbia and Missouri State University - Springfield follow. By degrees awarded, University of Missouri-Columbia is the largest, with 195 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Economics program in Missouri has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Washington University in St Louis tops the list at $66,325. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Economists earn in Missouri?+
The average annual wage for Economists in Missouri is $134,000 (median $117,010), across about 280 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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