2026 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Finance & Financial Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 176 schools to find the best return on investment for finance & financial management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance & financial management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among finance & financial management schools in the Great Lakes Region. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $11,384. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $35,981. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Milwaukee Area Technical College one of the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $18,296. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #3 place for finance & financial management. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $17,625. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $55,591 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Columbus State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College landed the #6 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Students borrow a median of $17,070 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $47,074. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #7 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $22,150. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $58,438 early in their careers. Set against $22,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $22,335. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $59,938. That is a strong return on a $22,335 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for finance & financial management. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $54,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University came in at #10 for value in finance & financial management this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $26,036. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $58,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Stark State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $75,381 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #13 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $44,279 early in their careers. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #14 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,357, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $23,078. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $53,062. That is a strong return on a $23,078 median debt. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois earned the #15 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $26,764 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $39,096. That is a strong return on a $26,764 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Youngstown State University earned the #16 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,935 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $24,477 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $42,853. That is a strong return on a $24,477 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Ferris State University placed #18 among the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $54,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #19 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $23,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $61,804. That is a strong return on a $23,944 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saint Xavier University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $23,326. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $46,452 early in their careers. Set against $23,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $43,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indiana State University earned the #22 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $22,805 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $46,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,805 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western Illinois University landed the #23 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #24 for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. That is a strong return on a $24,161 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $47,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for finance & financial management this year:
Narrow Finance & Financial Management Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 176 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 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.
