by our College Data Analytics Team
[Financial Planning & Services](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/financial-planning-and-services/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong financial planning & services education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for financial planning & services students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in financial planning & services, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in financial planning & services, no school beat Pennsylvania State University World Campus this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value financial planning & services schools. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Students borrow a median of $25,812 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $53,667. That is a strong return on a $25,812 median debt. York College Pennsylvania admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in financial planning & services will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Robert Morris University one of the best values for financial planning & services. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $50,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Elizabethtown College one of the best values for financial planning & services. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $57,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Messiah College placed #6 among the best values for financial planning & services. Located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg, Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Students borrow a median of $26,195 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Temple University placed #7 among the best values for financial planning & services. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Temple University earn a median of $58,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Desales University landed the #8 spot for financial planning & services value this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $56,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in financial planning & services this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,730. Typical student debt for financial planning & services graduates is $26,980. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $60,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,980 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Saint Josephs University placed #10 among the best values for financial planning & services. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Saint Josephs University earn a median of $65,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.