2027 Best Value Finance Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Finance Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Finance Schools
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in finance in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Finance graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,520. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,313. Set against $19,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for finance. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $69,094. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for finance. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $52,502. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in finance this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $25,542. Finance graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $53,163 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,542 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa placed #7 among the best values for finance. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,750. Finance graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $52,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #8 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $26,000. Early-career finance graduates make about $49,302. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Crookston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,288. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $24,808. Finance graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $48,276 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Minot State University landed the #10 spot for finance value this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University came in at #11 for value in finance this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $21,136 in student loans. Finance graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $49,500 early in their careers. Set against $21,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pittsburg State University placed #12 among the best values for finance. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,450. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #13 among the best values for finance. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $22,989. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $49,785. Set against $22,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri Western State University earned the #14 position for value in finance this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $21,361 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $47,265 early in their careers. Set against $21,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #15 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,591. Early-career finance graduates make about $46,736. That is a strong return on a $21,591 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #16 for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Finance graduates carry a median of $19,650 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $55,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,585. Finance graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $45,810 early in their careers. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Winona State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value finance schools. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,167 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $52,188. Set against $23,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #19 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,354. Early-career finance graduates make about $57,884. Set against $20,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #20 position for value in finance this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,900 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Northern State University came in at #21 for value in finance this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Finance graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $47,781. That is a strong return on a $26,143 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #22 position for value in finance this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $50,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Metropolitan State University landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $51,544. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Metropolitan State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #24 spot for finance value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,750. Finance graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $56,974 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Capella University landed the #25 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Capella University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $35,998. Early-career finance graduates make about $63,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for finance this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
