2026 Best Value Financial Mathematics Schools in California

[Financial Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/financial-mathematics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for financial mathematics students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Financial Mathematics Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Mathematics
If you have a knack for mathematics and an interest in learning more, study online to achieve your career goals at Southern New Hampshire University. Our mathematics degree can help you enhance your mathematical abilities, including reasoning and problem-solving in three areas: analysis, algebra and statistics.
Learn More
BA in Mathematics - Applied Mathematics
Put mathematical concepts to work to solve today's most complex real-world problems by studying applied mathematics with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Financial Mathematics Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in financial mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Financial Mathematics Schools
Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for financial mathematics in California. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for financial mathematics graduates is $15,516. Early-career financial mathematics graduates make about $42,859. Set against $15,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in financial mathematics will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $78,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for financial mathematics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $61,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for financial mathematics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,598 in student loans. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $71,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,598 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in financial mathematics will find it at Saint Marys College Of California, which ranked #5. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Financial Mathematics graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of San Diego placed #6 among the best values for financial mathematics. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the financial mathematics program here. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best values for financial mathematics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for financial mathematics graduates is $12,251. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $78,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Pepperdine University came in at #8 for value in financial mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,918. Typical student debt for financial mathematics graduates is $23,645. Early-career financial mathematics graduates make about $57,582. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
More Financial Mathematics Rankings
View All Financial Mathematics Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.