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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Kirkwood Community College the best value for a degree in finance in Iowa. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $15,779. Finance graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,759. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Iowa, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,165. Finance graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $59,965 early in their careers. Set against $23,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Loras College earned it the #5 place for finance. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Students borrow a median of $24,077 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $59,434. Set against $24,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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Grand View University placed #6 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,762. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,299. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Saint Ambrose University placed #7 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Students borrow a median of $27,528 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $56,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University earned the #8 position for value in finance this year. Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,878. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $51,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Cornell College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $35,545. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Dordt College placed #10 among the best values for finance. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. Students from in state pay about $37,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $52,640 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Drake University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,960. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $62,049. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.