by our College Data Analytics Team
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value finance schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Essex County College the best value for a degree in finance in New Jersey. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Finance graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #2 place for finance. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Finance graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $50,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Kean University, which ranked #3. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,688 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $46,685. That is a strong return on a $24,688 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,000. Finance graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $52,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Mahwah, Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,777, compared with $27,708 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,014 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey City University came in at #6 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,460. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $44,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden placed #7 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $68,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $49,895. That is a strong return on a $22,234 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,500. Finance graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $68,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #10 among the best values for finance. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,990. Finance graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rowan University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,486. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham came in at #12 for value in finance this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,468. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham generally make around $52,729. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #13 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $68,338. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University placed #14 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $57,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Seton Hall University landed the #15 spot for finance value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,808 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $75,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
