2026 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[Finance & Financial Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 98 schools to find the best return on investment for finance & financial management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance & financial management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in finance & financial management in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #2 place for finance & financial management. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Rio Salado College one of the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $16,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $16,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $15,670 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $48,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Collin County Community College District placed #6 among the best values for finance & financial management. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $9,716. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #7 for value in finance & financial management this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #8 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $17,702 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $50,812 early in their careers. Set against $17,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #9 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $66,842. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #10 for value in finance & financial management this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $18,660. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $51,797. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $40,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Cameron University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,095, while out-of-state students pay about $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $43,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University placed #13 among the best values for finance & financial management. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $23,805. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $48,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #14 among the best values for finance & financial management. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $23,125. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $43,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #15 among the best values for finance & financial management. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,809 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $65,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #16 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $63,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #17 among the best values for finance & financial management. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $20,980 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $36,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #18 for value in finance & financial management this year. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $50,350 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston earned the #19 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $54,041 early in their careers. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $18,809 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $42,309 early in their careers. Set against $18,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #21 among the best values for finance & financial management. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $23,338 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $49,413. That is a strong return on a $23,338 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University placed #22 among the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $45,998. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #23 for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $36,071 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $71,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas placed #24 among the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $57,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University came in at #25 for value in finance & financial management this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $20,594 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $54,005. Set against $20,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for finance & financial management this year:
Narrow Finance & Financial Management Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
