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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 57 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
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 Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington, our #1 best value for finance in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, while out-of-state students pay about $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,527. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,601. Set against $26,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,959 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,912. That is a strong return on a $25,959 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #6 spot for finance value this year. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $61,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $22,609 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Set against $22,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for finance. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,812 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $46,890. Set against $25,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Francis University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the rural area of Loretto, Saint Francis University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,388 in tuition and fees. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $63,097. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Francis University admits about 77% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot for finance value this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in finance this year. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Students borrow a median of $30,959 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $51,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College came in at #12 for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
La Salle University landed the #13 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $70,237. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Gannon University landed the #14 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,934. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #15 spot for finance value this year. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saint Vincent College earned the #16 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Latrobe, Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,396. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,797 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $61,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot for finance value this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Elizabethtown College landed the #18 spot for finance value this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,599. Finance graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University came in at #19 for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Robert Morris University generally make around $50,728. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University came in at #20 for value in finance this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $57,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
Messiah College came in at #21 for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,957. That is a strong return on a $26,195 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Mercyhurst College placed #22 among the best values for finance. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $49,251. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $32,256. Finance graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #24 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $58,807. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Wilkes University landed the #25 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $41,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in finance:
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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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.