2026 Best Value Taxation Master’s Degree Schools
[Taxation](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/taxation/taxation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 131 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for taxation students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Taxation Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the taxation degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Taxation Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for taxation in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $11,691. Taxation graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $82,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in taxation will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $85,983. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for taxation. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Taxation graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career taxation graduates make about $89,070. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Taxation graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Taxation graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $77,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in taxation will find it at Suny College At Old Westbury, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $20,274. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $79,338. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $73,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for taxation value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Weber State University earned the #8 position for value in taxation this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $64,434. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $66,580. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #10 among the best values for taxation. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $26,475. Early-career taxation graduates make about $66,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value taxation schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $68,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #12 among the best values for taxation. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $21,577. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #13 spot for taxation value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for taxation. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $25,347. Early-career taxation graduates make about $72,916. Set against $25,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Goldey Beacom College came in at #15 for value in taxation this year. Located in the suburb of Wilmington, Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,940. Students borrow a median of $20,743 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $57,634. Set against $20,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #16 among the best values for taxation. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for taxation graduates is $23,521. Early-career taxation graduates make about $77,521. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 for value in taxation this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Alabama landed the #18 spot for taxation value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the taxation program here. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #19 for value in taxation this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the taxation program here. Taxation graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
St Johns University New York landed the #20 spot for taxation value this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete the taxation program here. Taxation graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $80,262 early in their careers. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Depaul University came in at #21 for value in taxation this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $102,309. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Golden Gate University San Francisco placed #22 among the best values for taxation. Located in the city of San Francisco, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,343. Students borrow a median of $33,968 to complete the taxation program here. Taxation graduates of Golden Gate University San Francisco earn a median of $113,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,968 median debt.
Temple University landed the #23 spot for taxation value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Taxation graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Taxation graduates of Temple University earn a median of $54,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Walsh College Of Accountancy And Business Administration earned the #24 position for value in taxation this year. Walsh College Of Accountancy And Business Administration is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $22,629 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,728 to complete the taxation program here. Early-career taxation graduates make about $67,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Taft University System earned the #25 position for value in taxation this year. Located in the city of Denver, Taft University System is a small private for-profit university. Soon after graduation, taxation degree recipients from Taft University System generally make around $78,953.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Taxation Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in taxation:
Other Taxation Degree Levels
Explore the best-value taxation schools at other degree levels:
View All Taxation Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
