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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for finance students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Capital Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value finance schools in Connecticut. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $12,059. Early-career finance graduates make about $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,348. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,282. Set against $20,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,660. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,876. Set against $24,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Connecticut State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, while out-of-state students pay about $16,901. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,000. Finance graduates of Western Connecticut State University earn a median of $46,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,399. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $67,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willimantic. Students from in state pay about $13,928 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $43,250. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Eastern Connecticut State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Post University landed the #7 spot for finance value this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Students borrow a median of $33,812 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Post University generally make around $55,402. That is a strong return on a $33,812 median debt.
University Of Hartford came in at #8 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $54,098 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Quinnipiac University earned the #9 position for value in finance this year. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $51,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sacred Heart University came in at #10 for value in finance this year. Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $50,404. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $56,081 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Fairfield University placed #11 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,400. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,000. Finance graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $62,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.