Finance is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 809 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for finance students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Finance School
The finance program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Finance rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Finance Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Finance in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in finance. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 finance students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Finance graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
Read more about the finance program at Northwestern University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for finance. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 finance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
Read more about the finance program at University Of Chicago
University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best finance schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 23 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Finance graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in finance from University Of Southern California
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 262 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,381. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Read more about the finance program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Washington University In St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in finance, ranking #5. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 219 finance students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $102,814 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,250.
See the full finance program report for Washington University In St Louis
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for finance this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 533 finance degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
See the full finance program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Boston College landed the #7 spot for finance this year. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Boston College graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 257 finance students who graduated with this degree at Boston College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their finance degree from Boston College earn around $99,887 in the first couple years of their career. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in finance from Boston College
Wake Forest University landed the #8 spot for finance this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 133 finance degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Finance graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $85,944 early in their careers. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
Get the full finance details for Wake Forest University
University Of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot for finance this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. University Of Notre Dame awarded about 297 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $99,075. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full finance program report for University Of Notre Dame
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #10 position for finance this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 326 finance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $95,742. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full finance details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
New York University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best finance schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 finance degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Students who receive their finance degree from New York University earn around $64,516 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in finance from New York University
Santa Clara University landed the #12 spot for finance this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Santa Clara University awarded about 173 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their finance degree from Santa Clara University earn around $79,929 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $16,201 in student loans.
More information about a degree in finance from Santa Clara University
Suny At Binghamton came in at #13 for finance this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 135 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $73,598. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the finance program at Suny At Binghamton
Boston University came in at #14 for finance this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 95 finance students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $93,057. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans.
More information about a degree in finance from Boston University
Southern Methodist University came in at #15 for finance this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 280 finance students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $105,024 in their early career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in finance from Southern Methodist University
Georgetown University placed #16 among the best finance schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 337 finance students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $108,446. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,877 in student loans.
See the full finance program report for Georgetown University
Texas Christian University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best finance schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 200 finance students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $78,453. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full finance details for Texas Christian University
University Of Florida landed the #18 spot for finance this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 274 finance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $93,515 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,954 in student loans.
See the full finance program report for University Of Florida
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best finance schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Brigham Young University Provo graduates 81% of students within six years. Brigham Young University Provo awarded about 207 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $83,876 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,750.
Get the full finance details for Brigham Young University Provo
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #20 among the best finance schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 417 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $81,844 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the finance program at The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #21 position for finance this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 330 finance students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $69,094. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Get the full finance details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #22 for finance this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 360 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the finance program make about $77,653 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,880 to complete this degree.
Read more about the finance program at Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #23 position for finance this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 362 finance degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their finance degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $71,858 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full finance program report for University Of Maryland College Park
James Madison University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best finance schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 106 finance degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $67,849. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Get the full finance details for James Madison University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #25 spot for finance this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 257 finance degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their finance degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $63,500 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,208 to complete this degree.
Get the full finance details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Finance Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance ranking:
Managing and quantifying money is at the heart of the online bachelor's degree in finance at SNHU. You'll learn the fundamentals of investments, address key managerial issues, examine ethics from every angle and build the skillset to be a player in the multidimensional business marketplace.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 809 schools evaluated.
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).
