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2026 Best Value Financial Mathematics Schools in California

5 Colleges in the United States
$18,223 Avg Student Debt
$85,176 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Financial Mathematics Badge [Financial Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/financial-mathematics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for financial mathematics students.

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2026 Best Value Financial Mathematics Schools in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in financial mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Financial Mathematics Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for financial mathematics in California. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for financial mathematics graduates is $15,516. Early-career financial mathematics graduates make about $42,859. Set against $15,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

2

Students looking for strong value in financial mathematics will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $78,041 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for financial mathematics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, financial mathematics degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $61,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for financial mathematics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,598 in student loans. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $71,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,598 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in financial mathematics will find it at Saint Marys College Of California, which ranked #5. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Financial Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Financial Mathematics graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $59,760 early in their careers. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

6

University Of San Diego placed #6 among the best values for financial mathematics. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the financial mathematics program here. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $68,281 early in their careers. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.

7

University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best values for financial mathematics. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for financial mathematics graduates is $12,251. Financial Mathematics graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $78,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

8

Pepperdine University came in at #8 for value in financial mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,918. Typical student debt for financial mathematics graduates is $23,645. Early-career financial mathematics graduates make about $57,582. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

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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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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