Best Economics Programs in Iowa for 2027

Iowa houses economics in the Tippie College of Business and offers four routes: a BBA, a BBA in Analytical Economics, a BA and a BS. The BA is the interdisciplinary one, with room for a combined degree in Ethics and Public Policy, Political Science or Psychology, and Tippie pitches it as strong preparation for law school. The BS is described as the most quantitative option in the college, aimed at research in policy and decision-making. All majors complete math and statistics, economic theory, and field courses applied to business, social or specialized topics.

Degree Routes

BBA, BBA in Analytical Economics, BA and BS

BA Pairings

Combined degree with Ethics and Public Policy, Political Science or Psychology

Major Structure

Math and statistics, economic theory, and applied field courses

Program Sources: Economics - Undergraduate | Tippie College of Business

Grinnell's economics students build and test models, then use them in applied research. Econometrics (ECN 286) is described as a challenging course that prepares you to carry out your own projects. Economic Development (ECN 230) takes up global poverty, and the Seminar in International Trade (ECN 374) has students conduct independent research under a professor's guidance and present the results. The department's own figures show most recent graduates employed and about a quarter in graduate school, with study continuing in law, public affairs, health and business administration as well as economics.

Methods Course

Econometrics (ECN 286) for carrying out your own research projects

Capstone-Style Seminar

International Trade seminar with independent research presented to the class

Applied Topic

Economic Development (ECN 230) on global poverty

Program Sources: Economics | Grinnell College

Iowa State awards its Bachelor of Science in Economics through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, so the degree can be finished in four years with electives aimed at pre-law, finance, journalism, environmental studies, public administration and other fields. The department also runs two neighboring majors, Business Economics and Agricultural Business, so it helps to compare the three before declaring. An economics club brings in business and academic speakers and sponsors an annual trip to the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' meeting in Omaha. Many graduates continue to graduate programs.

College Home

Liberal Arts and Sciences, four-year Bachelor of Science

Elective Pairings

Pre-law, finance, journalism, environmental studies, public administration and more

Student Club Trip

Annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholders' meeting in Omaha

Program Sources: Economics | Department of Economics, Iowa State University

Northern Iowa's economics major lets you choose one of four emphases: General Economics, Quantitative Techniques, Business Economics, or Applied Economic Analysis. Everyone takes intermediate micro and macro theory, introductory econometrics and a statistics course, and the emphasis fills out the rest of a 39 to 60 hour major. The business emphasis requires admission to the Wilson College of Business before you can declare it, and Applied Economic Analysis is designed to be paired with a mathematics major. The degree totals at least 120 hours with general education.

Four Emphases

General Economics, Quantitative Techniques, Business Economics, Applied Economic Analysis

Shared Core

Intermediate micro and macro theory, introductory econometrics, statistics

Entry Condition

Business Economics emphasis requires Wilson College of Business admission

Program Sources: Economics B.A. | University of Northern Iowa Catalog

Drake splits economics into two degrees with the same economic courses. The BSBA, from the Zimpleman College of Business, adds a business core in marketing, accounting, management and strategy plus an introduction to data analytics. The BA, from the College of Arts and Sciences, drops the business core and frees schedule room for a second major or minor in political science, international relations, environmental sustainability or another field. Both build toward a capstone research project, and the major runs between 39 and 75 credits of a 120-credit degree depending on the route.

Two Degrees

BSBA through the business college or BA through Arts and Sciences

Capstone

Research project at the end of the major

Credit Range

39 to 75 major credits within a 120-credit degree

Program Sources: Bachelor's in Economics, BA or BSBA | Drake University

Central requires at least 50 credits for the economics major, including principles of micro and macro, a four-credit research methods course, and an economics research seminar. Courses in computer science, data-driven decisions and business and professional communication round out the quantitative and speaking skills, and 15 credits come from 300 and 400-level economics. Faculty put students in situations where they must make economic decisions. Study abroad and the Chicago program are strongly encouraged, as are internships and the economics club. Graduates head to banking, the Federal Reserve, and graduate study in law and public administration.

Credit Requirement

At least 50 credits including 15 at the 300 and 400 level

Research Sequence

Research Methods in Economics and an Economics Research Seminar

Encouraged Experiences

Study abroad, the Chicago program and internships

Program Sources: Economics | Central College Course Catalog

Luther's economics major starts with macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics, adds upper-level electives, and ends with a senior project that every major completes. The program stresses applied problem-solving and the role of ethics in economic decisions, with one-on-one work alongside professors. It also enrolls a higher than average share of international students, which shapes class discussion. Study-away programs and internships are part of the plan, and scholarships are set aside for economics, accounting and management majors. Recruiters visit campus each year to hire seniors for jobs and internships.

Required Capstone

Senior project completed by every economics major

Foundation Courses

Macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics

Distinguishing Mix

Ethics in decisions and a higher than average international student share

Program Sources: Economics Major & Minor | Luther College

Wartburg sits economics inside its Business Administration, Accounting and Economics department, where more than 80 percent of majors complete at least one internship or field experience before graduating. The coursework uses statistics and calculus, and small classes mean professors guide you through hands-on research. One graduate presented research at the Missouri Valley Economic Association Conference after working with an economics professor on every step. The department also awards thirty-nine scholarships beyond the college's standard awards and partners with a leadership institute for management skills.

Experience Rate

More than 80 percent of department majors complete an internship or field experience

Quantitative Tools

Statistics and calculus

Student Research

Faculty-guided projects, including conference presentations

Program Sources: Economics | Wartburg College

Simpson offers economics as both a major and a minor in its Department of Business Administration and Economics, and a separate Economics: Finance major for students leaning toward banking or investing. The economics major emphasizes analyzing real-world data and economic trends, with practical projects and internships at businesses in Des Moines and surrounding communities. Alumni work at employers such as Casey's, Hy-Vee, Farm Bureau Financial Services and the Iowa Legislature, so the placement picture is mostly central Iowa business and government. Faculty work closely with students on policy and market questions.

Program Types

Economics major and minor, plus a separate Economics: Finance major

Internship Setting

Businesses in Des Moines and surrounding communities

Alumni Employers

Casey's, Hy-Vee, Farm Bureau Financial Services, Iowa Legislature

Program Sources: Economics | Simpson College

Iowa State's doctorate has majors in economics and in agricultural economics, with a first year of core coursework before you specialize and pick a major professor who guides your committee and joint papers. Assistantship students receive a monthly stipend, in most cases full tuition coverage, health insurance and travel to conferences, and every applicant is automatically considered, with no need to line up a faculty sponsor in advance. Recent graduates went to Auburn, Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Kansas State, and to the USDA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and private firms such as Freddie Mac.

Two Majors

Economics and agricultural economics

Funding Package

Monthly stipend, usually full tuition, health insurance, conference travel

Admissions Note

No faculty sponsor needed before admission to be considered for assistantships

Program Sources: Economics Ph.D. Programs | Department of Economics, Iowa State University