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Best Value Insurance Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

University of Wisconsin-Madison stands apart in insurance education, delivering the highest graduate earnings at $66,821 while maintaining reasonable costs at $16,928 net price. This earnings advantage reflects Wisconsin's position as a major insurance center, home to American Family Insurance headquarters and numerous regional carriers that actively recruit from state universities. The 20 programs in this analysis show striking cost efficiency, with net prices ranging from Eastern Kentucky's $9,962 to St. John's University's $26,985. Public universities dominate the value equation, offering in-state tuition as low as $5,656 at Florida State while producing graduates who earn between $38,289 and $66,821 annually. The insurance industry's steady growth, particularly in risk management and data analytics roles, creates strong demand for qualified graduates across these programs.
50
Programs
$7,569 – $47,919
Net Price Range
$54,315
Avg. Program Earnings
61.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Insurance Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,997 $54,646 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
2 $9,962 $43,798 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
3 $12,188 $52,107 $9,992 41.1% 92.3%
4 $14,352 $60,230 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
5 $13,816 $56,528 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
6 $16,928 $66,821 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
7 $13,164 $51,482 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
8 $15,931 $56,693 $8,478 53.7% 66.8%
9 $17,231 $57,318 $8,769 60.4% 82.6%
10 $16,487 $53,108 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
11 $18,996 $54,581 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
12 $17,502 $49,019 $9,024 57.3% 92.6%
13 $15,374 $38,289 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
14 $21,158 $51,035 $33,076 37.0% 84.6%
15 $26,985 $63,898 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
16 $24,532 $55,964 $12,688 77.7% 64.1%
17 $29,219 $60,377 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
18 $35,487 $60,399 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
19 $29,558 $45,696 $47,647 58.3% 82.8%
20 $12,599 $9,506 54.0% 72.5%
21 $22,539 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
22 $19,476 $34,370 47.9% 52.4%
23 $25,727 $37,800 74.2% 54.4%
24 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
25 $18,990 $8,522 37.5% 69.9%
26 $23,206 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
27 $27,263 $44,510 58.7% 80.6%
28 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
29 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%
30 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
31 $47,919 $33,344 68.9% 53.4%
32 $10,964 $7,272 25.9%
33 $41,942 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
34 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
35 $14,085 $18,382 46.6% 59.2%
36 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
37 $14,715 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
38 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
39 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
40 $16,957 $13,440 58.9% 62.7%
41 $16,775 $10,118 53.3% 91.2%
42 $7,569 $6,920 36.4%
43 $20,361 $35,420 60.7% 98.1%
44 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
45 $26,429 $33,000 61.1% 79.7%
46 $11,633 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
47 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
48 $14,485 $10,117 46.9% 95.3%
49 $12,473 $21,000 23.0%
50 $15,501 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $28,532 earnings gap between top and bottom programs?

University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn $66,821 compared to $38,289 at Wisconsin-La Crosse, reflecting regional job markets and program focus. Madison's proximity to major insurance companies and emphasis on actuarial science creates higher-paying opportunities. The difference also correlates with graduation rates, as Madison achieves 89.3% compared to La Crosse's 71.2%. Geographic location within the same state demonstrates how university reputation and industry connections impact starting salaries.

How do public universities compare to private options for insurance value?

Public universities deliver superior value with net prices averaging $15,000 compared to private schools at $24,000-$27,000. Florida State offers the best public value at $10,997 net cost with $54,646 earnings potential. St. John's University charges $26,985 but produces graduates earning $63,898, making it competitive despite higher costs. The 83% graduation rate at Florida State surpasses many private alternatives while maintaining significantly lower debt levels.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program quality in insurance education?

Selective programs often produce stronger outcomes, as seen with Florida State's 25.04% acceptance rate and $54,646 graduate earnings. However, University of Mississippi accepts 97.38% of applicants while still delivering $51,482 in graduate earnings. Wisconsin-Madison balances selectivity at 49.06% acceptance with the highest earnings at $66,821. The data suggests program reputation and industry connections matter more than admission selectivity alone.

What debt levels should insurance students expect after graduation?

Graduate debt ranges from $17,584 at Wisconsin-La Crosse to $24,375 at private Olivet University, with most programs falling between $17,000-$22,000. University of Georgia offers strong debt management at $17,642 while producing graduates earning $56,528. Students at public universities typically graduate with $2,000-$4,000 less debt than private school counterparts. The debt-to-earnings ratios remain favorable across all programs, with most graduates earning 2.5 times their debt amount annually.

Where do insurance graduates find the best return on education investment?

Florida State delivers strong returns with in-state students paying just $5,656 tuition while graduates earn $54,646 annually. University of North Texas offers strong value at $11,164 in-state tuition producing $60,230 earners with only $19,392 in debt. Georgia residents benefit from University of Georgia's $11,180 in-state cost leading to $56,528 earnings. These programs demonstrate how state residency significantly improves educational return on investment in insurance fields.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.