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.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
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.
Leading the list is University Of North Texas At Dallas, our #1 best value for finance in Texas. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,896 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $37,711. That is a strong return on a $16,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin one of the best values for finance. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Finance graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $50,812. Set against $17,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #5 place for finance. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,500. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $66,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #6 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $40,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,510 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Finance graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $48,539 early in their careers. Set against $23,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. 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. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston earned the #9 position for value in finance this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $17,875. Finance graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $54,041 early in their careers. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #10 spot for finance value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,809. 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. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #11 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,980. Early-career finance graduates make about $36,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University placed #12 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $18,809 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $42,309. That is a strong return on a $18,809 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #13 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $57,524. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Midwestern State University came in at #14 for value in finance this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,338. Finance graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. Set against $23,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #15 among the best values for finance. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $51,959 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,776. Finance graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $50,867 early in their careers. Set against $23,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #17 position for value in finance this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $63,455 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #18 for value in finance this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #19 position for value in finance this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,414 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,791. Set against $35,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #20 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Finance graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $49,981 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #21 spot for finance value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Finance graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $52,710 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #22 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $81,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,253 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $53,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #24 for value in finance this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Finance graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $36,656 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University earned the #25 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $63,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
22
23
24
25
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in finance:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.