2027 Best Value Finance Schools in the Southwest Region
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Finance Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in finance, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Finance Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas Pan American, our #1 best value for finance in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Finance graduates carry a median of $16,896 in student loans. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,896 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #2. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,160. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for finance. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $17,702. Finance graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $50,812 early in their careers. Set against $17,702 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #4 place for finance. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $66,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for finance. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Finance graduates carry a median of $15,670 in student loans. Finance graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,868 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #6 among the best values for finance. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,980. Early-career finance graduates make about $36,325. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #8 among the best values for finance. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Finance graduates carry a median of $16,510 in student loans. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $40,994 early in their careers. Set against $16,510 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #10 among the best values for finance. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arizona State University came in at #11 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $63,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #12 position for value in finance this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,594 in student loans. Finance graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $54,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,594 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Womans University placed #13 among the best values for finance. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $23,805 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $48,539. That is a strong return on a $23,805 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Midwestern State University landed the #14 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,338. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,413. Set against $23,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $23,776 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,867. Set against $23,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston came in at #16 for value in finance this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $54,041 early in their careers. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #17 spot for finance value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Finance graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $51,959. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #18 spot for finance value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Tulsa placed #19 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,250. Early-career finance graduates make about $65,012. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Tulsa admits about 62% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $36,071. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $71,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #21 for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,550. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $66,904. That is a strong return on a $19,550 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University landed the #22 spot for finance value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $45,998. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $52,710. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #24 spot for finance value this year. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Students borrow a median of $35,414 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $56,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,628. Early-career finance graduates make about $66,427. Set against $20,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in finance:
Narrow Finance Schools by State
View All Finance Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
