by our College Data Analytics Team
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for finance students.
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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 Phoenix Arizona this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Finance graduates carry a median of $36,071 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $71,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,594. Finance graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $54,005 early in their careers. Set against $20,594 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $18,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $63,054. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,628 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $66,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Finance graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $53,853. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Ashford University came in at #6 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $31,133. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $57,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.