by our College Data Analytics Team
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for finance in New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $11,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $54,991. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for finance. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $13,938. Finance graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $37,867 early in their careers. Set against $13,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for finance. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $12,157. Finance graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $45,168 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Old Westbury earned it the #5 place for finance. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $46,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Suny At Geneseo placed #6 among the best values for finance. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Students borrow a median of $20,976 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,298. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $51,590. Set against $19,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #8 spot for finance value this year. Located in the suburb of Utica, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, with out-of-state students paying around $21,215. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,056 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,541. That is a strong return on a $21,056 median debt. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #9 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #10 for value in finance this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,093 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $49,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Stony Brook University earned the #11 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $67,332. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #12 spot for finance value this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $40,414. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $73,598. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Canisius College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,200. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,875. Finance graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $48,587 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #15 spot for finance value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,550 in student loans. Finance graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,550 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton earned the #16 position for value in finance this year. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,742, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,377. Early-career finance graduates make about $42,110. That is a strong return on a $27,377 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,450 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College generally make around $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne College came in at #18 for value in finance this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,330 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,909. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,232. Set against $23,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #19 for value in finance this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $61,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Touro College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of New York, Touro College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,052. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,285. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Touro College generally make around $43,019. Set against $20,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Molloy College landed the #21 spot for finance value this year. Molloy College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rockville Centre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,790. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of Molloy College earn a median of $68,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattan College earned the #22 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,400. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,323. Early-career finance graduates make about $55,972. That is a strong return on a $26,323 median debt. Manhattan College admits about 79% of applicants.
St Johns University New York landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $51,259. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Bonaventure University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Saint Bonaventure University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. Students from in state pay about $41,735 in tuition and fees. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,443 in student loans. Finance graduates of Saint Bonaventure University earn a median of $51,244 early in their careers. Set against $25,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Iona College placed #25 among the best values for finance. Iona College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Rochelle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,260. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,656. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Iona College generally make around $63,588. Set against $22,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance value ranking:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
