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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Accounting and Finance Schools in the The Plains States Region

2 Colleges in the United States
$21,558 Avg Student Debt
$60,066 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Accounting and Finance Badge [Accounting and Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/accounting-and-finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong accounting and finance education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value accounting and finance schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Accounting and Finance Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the accounting and finance degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Accounting and Finance Schools

1

Leading the list is Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College, our #1 best value for accounting and finance in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the accounting and finance program here. Accounting And Finance graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in accounting and finance will find it at University Of Missouri St Louis, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Accounting And Finance graduates carry a median of $21,300 in student loans. Accounting And Finance graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Set against $21,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

3

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting and finance schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting and finance graduates is $23,394. Accounting And Finance graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.

4

Minnesota State University Moorhead is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting and finance, landing the #4 spot this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the accounting and finance program here. Accounting And Finance graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $50,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Dakota earned it the #5 place for accounting and finance. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical student debt for accounting and finance graduates is $24,780. Accounting And Finance graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $61,280 early in their careers. Set against $24,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting and finance schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for accounting and finance graduates is $20,707. Soon after graduation, accounting and finance degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $64,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

7

Washington University In St Louis came in at #7 for value in accounting and finance this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for accounting and finance graduates is $17,553. Early-career accounting and finance graduates make about $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

8

Bethel University Minnesota earned the #8 position for value in accounting and finance this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Typical student debt for accounting and finance graduates is $25,639. Accounting And Finance graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $65,587 early in their careers. Set against $25,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.

9
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting and finance schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the accounting and finance program here. Early-career accounting and finance graduates make about $65,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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