by our College Data Analytics Team
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
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.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Texas At Dallas the best value for a degree in finance in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $16,896. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Set against $16,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for finance. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $15,670. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,868. That is a strong return on a $15,670 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,702 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $50,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #6 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $63,054. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #7 for value in finance this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $66,842 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #8 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $40,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University earned the #9 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,805. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $48,539. Set against $23,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #10 spot for finance value this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #11 among the best values for finance. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $43,416. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #12 spot for finance value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,809 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $65,274. That is a strong return on a $23,809 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston came in at #13 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Finance graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $54,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,980. Finance graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $36,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Angelo State University landed the #15 spot for finance value this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Finance graduates carry a median of $18,809 in student loans. Finance graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $42,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,809 median debt. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $36,071 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $71,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas earned the #17 position for value in finance this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,500. Early-career finance graduates make about $57,524. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #18 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,594. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $54,005. That is a strong return on a $20,594 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona earned the #19 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,628 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $66,427. Set against $20,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University landed the #20 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $23,338 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,413. That is a strong return on a $23,338 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northeastern State University landed the #21 spot for finance value this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $45,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
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The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #22 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $15,875. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $51,959. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #23 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,776 in student loans. Finance graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $50,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,776 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #24 spot for finance value this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,000. Finance graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $47,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for finance. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,060 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $56,916. Set against $22,060 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance value ranking:
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The ranking above is published 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.