2026 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Finance & Financial Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 111 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value finance & financial management schools.
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2026 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Nebraska At Omaha tops our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $21,783. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in finance & financial management will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $15,779. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance & financial management, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $20,750. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $52,759. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance & financial management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $21,500. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $69,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for finance & financial management. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $19,520 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $47,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University earned the #6 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $21,136. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $49,500. Set against $21,136 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $52,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #8 for value in finance & financial management this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $21,591 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $46,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #9 for value in finance & financial management this year. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $24,808 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $48,276. Set against $24,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Minot State University placed #10 among the best values for finance & financial management. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #11 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $45,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Wichita State University landed the #12 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $26,000. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $49,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas came in at #13 for value in finance & financial management this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $20,354. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $57,884. That is a strong return on a $20,354 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Area Technical Institute came in at #14 for value in finance & financial management this year. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,718. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $17,374. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $40,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #15 spot for finance & financial management value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $19,650 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $55,979 early in their careers. Set against $19,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for finance & financial management graduates is $25,542. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $53,163. Set against $25,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #17 among the best values for finance & financial management. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Students borrow a median of $22,989 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Soon after graduation, finance & financial management degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $49,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Kansas State University earned the #18 position for value in finance & financial management this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $54,509 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,026 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $54,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Iowa State University placed #20 among the best values for finance & financial management. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $56,974. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $50,486 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern State University landed the #22 spot for finance & financial management value this year. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $26,143 in student loans. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $47,781 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Winona State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,167 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Finance & Financial Management graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $52,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,167 median debt. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #24 among the best values for finance & financial management. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,300 to complete the finance & financial management program here. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $48,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value finance & financial management schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Finance & Financial Management graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career finance & financial management graduates make about $51,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance & Financial Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s finance & financial management value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
