2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Finance Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Nebraska At Omaha the best value for a degree in finance in the The Plains States Region. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Kirkwood Community College one of the best values for finance. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $41,681. That is a strong return on a $15,779 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $69,094 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $52,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fort Hays State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,520. Finance graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $47,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,520 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Washburn University landed the #6 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,136 in student loans. Finance graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $49,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,136 median debt.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #7 for value in finance this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $52,502. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,354. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $57,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Minot State University landed the #9 spot for finance value this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #10 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Students borrow a median of $21,591 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $46,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #11 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $55,979. That is a strong return on a $19,650 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,808. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Crookston generally make around $48,276. Set against $24,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Wichita State University placed #13 among the best values for finance. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #14 spot for finance value this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $45,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,542 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $53,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $22,989 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $49,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Kansas State University landed the #17 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $54,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $54,835 early in their careers. Set against $29,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #19 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,486. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #20 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,750. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,974. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $47,781. Set against $26,143 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University placed #22 among the best values for finance. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $23,167 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $52,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #23 among the best values for finance. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,300 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,121. That is a strong return on a $22,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $51,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #25 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,233. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,248. That is a strong return on a $24,233 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance value ranking:
Narrow Finance Schools by State
View All Finance Rankings >
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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
