[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 809 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
The right finance school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Finance Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Finance Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among finance schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,954 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $93,515. Set against $17,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $11,000. Finance graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $54,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the best values for finance. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Finance graduates carry a median of $18,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $59,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for finance. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $60,947. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $14,208. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $63,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #6 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $11,893. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #7 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College placed #8 among the best values for finance. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Finance graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Capital Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Finance graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College placed #10 among the best values for finance. Set in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earn a median of $35,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $18,843 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,415. Set against $18,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #12 position for value in finance this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $45,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Northridge landed the #13 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,553. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #14 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #15 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Finance graduates carry a median of $13,938 in student loans. Finance graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $37,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,938 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #16 position for value in finance this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Finance graduates carry a median of $18,835 in student loans. Finance graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $62,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,641 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $59,430 early in their careers. Set against $17,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #18 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,239 in student loans. Finance graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $55,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,239 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Utah earned the #19 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,850 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $68,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,542 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $49,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #21 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,208 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $63,500. Set against $14,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Western Governors University placed #22 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $74,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida earned the #23 position for value in finance this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $15,836 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $51,118. Set against $15,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #24 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $17,730. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $55,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance value ranking:
Finance is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 809 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 515 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
