2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the Southeast Region
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value finance schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,162 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $59,275 early in their careers. Set against $18,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #3 place for finance. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $18,835. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $62,991. That is a strong return on a $18,835 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $17,641 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $59,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for finance. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $18,843 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $56,415 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in finance this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,542 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $49,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,542 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,239 to complete the finance program here. 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 North Florida landed the #8 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $15,836 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,118. Set against $15,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State College At Jacksonville placed #9 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $31,224. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $47,586. Set against $31,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State University placed #10 among the best values for finance. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $43,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $41,328. That is a strong return on a $16,400 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #12 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #13 spot for finance value this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $39,986. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Dalton State College landed the #14 spot for finance value this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $10,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $41,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #15 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $40,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Georgia placed #16 among the best values for finance. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $16,650 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #17 position for value in finance this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,355. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #18 among the best values for finance. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,299. Early-career finance graduates make about $67,444. That is a strong return on a $20,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #19 among the best values for finance. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,500. Early-career finance graduates make about $45,325. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Shreveport came in at #20 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands placed #21 among the best values for finance. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,868 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $50,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,868 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Fayetteville State University earned the #22 position for value in finance this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $17,500. Finance graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $42,018 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #24 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,000. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance value ranking:
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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 · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 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.
