by our College Data Analytics Team
[Insurance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/insurance/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for insurance students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in insurance, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in insurance, no school beat Harper College this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Insurance graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, insurance degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value insurance schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Insurance graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Insurance graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value insurance schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the insurance program here. Early-career insurance graduates make about $78,796. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in insurance will find it at Illinois State University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Insurance graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, insurance degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $51,499. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Olivet College earned it the #5 place for insurance. Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Olivet. In-state tuition and fees average $34,068. Insurance graduates carry a median of $24,710 in student loans. Insurance graduates of Olivet College earn a median of $56,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet College admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #6 for value in insurance this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for insurance graduates is $23,530. Early-career insurance graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Butler University earned the #7 position for value in insurance this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Insurance graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Insurance graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,351 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.