by our College Data Analytics Team
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong finance education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 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.
For return on investment in finance, no school beat University Of North Georgia this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $16,650 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,044. Set against $16,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Dalton State College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $41,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,299 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $67,444. Set against $20,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #4 place for finance. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Finance graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $43,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of West Georgia earned it the #5 place for finance. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,571. Early-career finance graduates make about $52,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $54,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University placed #7 among the best values for finance. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Students borrow a median of $25,488 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $46,812. That is a strong return on a $25,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Georgia Southern University earned the #8 position for value in finance this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,753. Set against $24,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #9 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $56,344. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University came in at #10 for value in finance this year. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,412. Finance graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $51,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Berry College placed #11 among the best values for finance. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,486. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,785. That is a strong return on a $24,797 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University placed #12 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $47,956. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.