Best Economics Schools in Iowa

Iowa has 7 colleges offering Economics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 224 recent graduates. Graduates earn $47,001 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $48,383.

Schools in IA

$47,001

IA Avg. Earnings

$48,383

National Avg.

449

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Economics in Iowa

Public Schools (3)

$44,386

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (4)

$49,615

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $5,229 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Economics Schools in Iowa, Ranked by Earnings

Grinnell College

Grinnell, IA · Private

$52,941

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,661

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 12.7%

Drake University

Des Moines, IA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 64.1%

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public

$44,389

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $42,807

Graduates: 116

Acceptance: 84.7%

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

$46,087

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $49,423

Graduates: 39

Acceptance: 89.1%

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public

$42,682

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,358

Graduates: 22

Acceptance: 94.4%

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private

$52,107

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 73.3%

Simpson College

Indianola, IA · Private

$43,798

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 88.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Economics in Iowa?

Grinnell College ranks #1 for Economics in Iowa with median graduate earnings of $52,941 within two years of graduation. There are 7 schools offering Economics programs in the state.

How much do Economics graduates earn in Iowa?

Economics graduates in Iowa earn an average of $47,001 within two years of graduation. This is 3% below the national average of $48,383 for this major.

What is the hardest Economics school to get into in Iowa?

Grinnell College is the most selective Economics program in Iowa with an acceptance rate of 12.7%. The average acceptance rate across Economics programs in the state is 72.5%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Economics in Iowa?

In Iowa, private Economics programs produce average earnings of $49,615 vs $44,386 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 3 public and 4 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Iowa

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $71,489 Computer Science $67,647 Industrial Engineering $67,486 Chemical Engineering $66,073 Computer and Information Sciences, General $61,418 Management Information Systems and Services $61,155 Civil Engineering $60,985 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods $59,161

All colleges in Iowa →

Economics in Other States

New York California Pennsylvania Massachusetts Ohio Illinois Texas Virginia Michigan Minnesota Wisconsin New Jersey View All →

Get Economics Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI analysis by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.