2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Arkansas
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
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2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Finance Schools
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #1 spot for value among finance schools in Arkansas. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $39,204. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Arkansas Tech University, which ranked #2. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. Finance graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for finance. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $20,915 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $43,060. Set against $20,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Arkansas At Little Rock, which ranked #4. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,152 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $60,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,152 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Central Arkansas one of the best values for finance. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $44,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas landed the #6 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,924 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,387. Set against $22,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
Harding University earned the #7 position for value in finance this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. In-state tuition and fees average $25,962. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $53,876. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Ouachita Baptist University placed #8 among the best values for finance. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,500. Students borrow a median of $21,320 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Ouachita Baptist University earn a median of $53,195 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
