[Taxation](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/taxation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 131 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for taxation students.
The taxation program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Taxation Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Taxation Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among taxation schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $82,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Irvine Valley College earned it the #2 place for taxation. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Taxation graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $15,525. Early-career taxation graduates make about $85,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in taxation, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $89,070. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Clovis Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $11,082. Early-career taxation graduates make about $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.
American River College landed the #7 spot for taxation value this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Taxation graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Stark State College landed the #8 spot for taxation value this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. That is a strong return on a $17,349 median debt.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Taxation graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $77,846 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #10 position for value in taxation this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,274 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $79,338. Set against $20,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $6,382. Early-career taxation graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chemeketa Community College earned the #12 position for value in taxation this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Taxation graduates carry a median of $15,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Chemeketa Community College generally make around $45,440. That is a strong return on a $15,755 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in taxation this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $73,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #14 spot for taxation value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Weber State University landed the #15 spot for taxation value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the taxation program here. Taxation graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $64,434 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $66,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Los Angeles Pierce College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Set in the city of Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Pierce College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,572 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $12,477 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,521. That is a strong return on a $12,477 median debt.
Portland State University came in at #18 for value in taxation this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Taxation graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $66,631. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #19 among the best values for taxation. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Taxation graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $68,059. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for taxation value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $56,395. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #21 for value in taxation this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Taxation graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in taxation this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Taxation graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $72,916. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #23 among the best values for taxation. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #24 for value in taxation this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $23,521. Early-career taxation graduates make about $77,521. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Goldey Beacom College came in at #25 for value in taxation this year. Located in the suburb of Wilmington, Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,940. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $20,743. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Goldey Beacom College generally make around $57,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Goldey Beacom College admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Taxation Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for taxation this year:
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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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).
[Taxation](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/taxation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
