2026 Best Value Financial Planning & Services Schools in the Southwest Region

1

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

For return on investment in financial planning & services, no school beat New Mexico State University Main Campus this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $15,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Set against $15,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

2

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value financial planning & services schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services 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%.

3

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for financial planning & services. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for financial planning & services graduates is $20,594. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $54,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,594 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value financial planning & services schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $20,628 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $66,427. Set against $20,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

A rank of #5 makes Oklahoma State University Main Campus one of the best values for financial planning & services. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $22,060 in student loans. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $56,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

6

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #6 spot for financial planning & services value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $81,844. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #7 spot for financial planning & services value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $24,793 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. That is a strong return on a $24,793 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

8

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #8 for value in financial planning & services this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for financial planning & services graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $63,801. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

9

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station placed #9 among the best values for financial planning & services. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $16,880 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $77,653. That is a strong return on a $16,880 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

10

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University earned the #10 position for value in financial planning & services this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $70,632. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.