2026 Best Value Finance Schools in North Carolina
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance Schools in North Carolina
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
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for finance in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the finance program here. 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%.
Fayetteville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #3 place for finance. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Finance graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for finance. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,400. Finance graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for finance. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $40,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Appalachian State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,267 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $21,267 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #7 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $23,142 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,501 early in their careers. Set against $23,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #8 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,937. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $107,359. Set against $21,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Wingate University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $46,591 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #10 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Lenoir Rhyne University generally make around $49,985. Set against $26,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lenoir Rhyne University admits about 85% of applicants.
Belmont Abbey College placed #11 among the best values for finance. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,140 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Belmont Abbey College generally make around $40,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Campbell University came in at #12 for value in finance this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $60,445 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University landed the #13 spot for finance value this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte placed #14 among the best values for finance. Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,846. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Queens University Of Charlotte generally make around $59,654. That is a strong return on a $27,245 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University came in at #15 for value in finance this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $85,944. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University placed #16 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Elon University came in at #17 for value in finance this year. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Elon University earn a median of $66,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
