2027 Best Value Financial Planning & Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Financial Planning & Services](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/financial-planning-and-services/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for financial planning & services students.
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2027 Best Value Financial Planning & Services Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in financial planning & services, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Financial Planning & Services Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, our #1 best value for financial planning & services in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Financial Planning & Services graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in financial planning & services will find it at University Of Michigan Dearborn, which ranked #2. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $22,150 in student loans. Financial Planning & Services graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $58,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Edison State Community College earned it the #3 place for financial planning & services. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the best values for financial planning & services. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,469 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $55,874. That is a strong return on a $25,469 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for financial planning & services. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $22,335 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,938. That is a strong return on a $22,335 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value financial planning & services schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,900 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $55,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for value in financial planning & services this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Financial Planning & Services graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $95,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #8 position for value in financial planning & services this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $41,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Baker College Of Flint earned the #9 position for value in financial planning & services this year. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $31,822 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $51,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University placed #10 among the best values for financial planning & services. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $50,787. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #11 spot for financial planning & services value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $26,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $60,023. Set against $26,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University placed #12 among the best values for financial planning & services. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for financial planning & services graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $68,103. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Spring Arbor University came in at #13 for value in financial planning & services this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Students borrow a median of $28,268 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Roosevelt University came in at #14 for value in financial planning & services this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $50,101. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value financial planning & services schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value financial planning & services schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for financial planning & services graduates is $20,905. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $54,261 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,905 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Calvin College earned the #17 position for value in financial planning & services this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Franklin University earned the #18 position for value in financial planning & services this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,577. Students borrow a median of $33,949 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Franklin University earn a median of $61,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adrian College came in at #19 for value in financial planning & services this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,684. Students borrow a median of $28,071 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Financial Planning & Services graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,071 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
John Carroll University placed #20 among the best values for financial planning & services. John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of University Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,500. Financial Planning & Services graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career financial planning & services graduates make about $55,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University came in at #21 for value in financial planning & services this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the financial planning & services program here. Soon after graduation, financial planning & services degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
