2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Kentucky
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance Schools in Kentucky
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
Our analysis ranked Murray State University the best value for a degree in finance in Kentucky. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $43,320 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for finance. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $16,400 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $41,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,500. Finance graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,355 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Morehead State University one of the best values for finance. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,896. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $41,360. Set against $25,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of The Cumberlands, which ranked #5. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,868. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,547. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #6 spot for finance value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $58,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $43,752. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Louisville placed #8 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $52,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Bellarmine University came in at #9 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,770. Students borrow a median of $26,766 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $46,024. Set against $26,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
View All Finance Rankings >
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
