2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Ohio
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
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2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Finance Schools
For return on investment in finance, no school beat Cincinnati State Technical And Community College this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $17,730. Finance graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for finance. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $65,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for finance. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,935 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $44,973. Set against $21,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,903 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $52,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,900. Early-career finance graduates make about $55,946. Set against $23,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cleveland State University placed #6 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,365 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Toledo earned the #7 position for value in finance this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $49,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #8 spot for finance value this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $51,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in finance this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $59,305. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for finance. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $53,707. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Walsh University earned the #11 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,030 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,064 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,602. Early-career finance graduates make about $53,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,549 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $59,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,549 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mount Union ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $51,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mount Union admits about 78% of applicants.
Franklin University placed #15 among the best values for finance. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,949 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $61,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cedarville University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $16,750. Finance graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $60,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Tiffin University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Finance graduates carry a median of $30,977 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Tiffin University generally make around $69,174. Set against $30,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville landed the #18 spot for finance value this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
Ohio Northern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Ohio Northern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,600. Students borrow a median of $26,661 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Ohio Northern University earn a median of $56,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Northern University admits about 74% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford came in at #20 for value in finance this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $71,203. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College earned the #21 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $51,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University placed #22 among the best values for finance. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,500. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $55,590. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton placed #23 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $64,371. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Xavier University landed the #24 spot for finance value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $89,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #25 for value in finance this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,048. Early-career finance graduates make about $76,134. Set against $26,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
