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 45 schools to find the best return on investment for finance students.
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.
For return on investment in finance, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $16,896 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #3 place for finance. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,702 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for finance. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,500. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $66,842 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar University one of the best values for finance. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,980. Finance graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $36,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,980 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #6 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,510 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $40,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #8 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $47,108. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University came in at #9 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $23,338 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,413 early in their careers. Set against $23,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #10 among the best values for finance. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $54,041. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #11 among the best values for finance. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $23,776 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $50,867. Set against $23,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas Womans University earned the #12 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $23,805 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $48,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #13 spot for finance value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $15,875. Early-career finance graduates make about $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 ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Finance graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $52,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas landed the #16 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,500. Early-career finance graduates make about $57,524. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #17 spot for finance value this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $35,414. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $56,791. That is a strong return on a $35,414 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Angelo State University landed the #18 spot for finance value this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $18,809. Finance graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $42,309 early in their careers. Set against $18,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #19 spot for finance value this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,531. Early-career finance graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #20 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,500. Early-career finance graduates make about $63,455. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #21 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,750. Finance graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $36,656 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $43,416 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #23 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $49,981. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #24 position for value in finance this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $27,253. Finance graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $53,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,253 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $63,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance value ranking:
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.