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Cheapest Finance and Financial Management Services Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

St Petersburg College breaks the mold for finance education by actually paying students to attend, with a net cost of negative $52 after aid. This remarkable figure stands alongside programs where students pay over $6,000 annually, creating a cost spectrum wider than most academic fields. The City University of New York system claims four spots among the most affordable options, with Baruch College graduates earning $49,501 annually while carrying just $11,750 in debt. Finance professionals find strong job markets across these regions, particularly in New York's financial district and Texas's growing banking sector. Community colleges and regional state schools dominate the affordable market, though graduation rates vary dramatically from Ohio University-Southern's 19.3% to CUNY Baruch's impressive 72.1%. Students can access quality finance education without the crushing debt loads often associated with business programs, especially when choosing public institutions in states with strong higher education funding.
50
Programs
$-52 – $9,144
Net Price Range
$43,108
Avg. Program Earnings
45.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
3 $2,760 $2,878 32.4%
4 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
5 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
6 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
7 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
8 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
9 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
10 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
11 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
12 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
13 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
14 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
15 $5,732 $8,054 56.2%
16 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
17 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
18 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
19 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
20 $6,352 $7,200 33.3% 74.2%
21 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
22 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
23 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
24 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
25 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
26 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
27 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
28 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
29 $7,455 $5,354 50.6% 54.0%
30 $7,563 $5,612 28.6% 96.9%
31 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
32 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
33 $8,130 $7,327 33.2% 88.9%
34 $8,142 $5,954 47.7% 76.8%
35 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
36 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
37 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
38 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
39 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
40 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
41 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
42 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
43 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
44 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
45 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
46 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
47 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
48 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
49 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
50 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College's finance program cost negative $52?

St Petersburg College provides financial aid packages that exceed the total cost of attendance, resulting in students receiving money back. This occurs when federal grants, state aid, and institutional scholarships combine to cover tuition, fees, and provide additional funds for living expenses. The college's in-state tuition of $2,682 makes this possible when paired with substantial need-based assistance. Students essentially get paid to pursue their finance education while building foundational skills for banking and investment careers.

How do CUNY schools compare for finance program value?

CUNY Baruch College leads with the strongest outcomes, producing graduates who earn $49,501 annually while carrying just $11,750 in student debt. Brooklyn College and Queens College offer similar affordability with net costs around $3,000, though Queens College graduates earn $39,909 compared to Baruch's higher figures. All three schools benefit from New York's concentration of financial services employers. Baruch's 72.1% graduation rate significantly outpaces the other CUNY options, making it the clear value leader despite slightly higher costs.

Is Texas A&M University-Central Texas worth the 95.71% acceptance rate?

The high acceptance rate reflects the school's mission to serve transfer students and working adults rather than indicating low academic quality. With a net cost of just $1,113, students gain access to Texas A&M's respected business curriculum without the competitive admissions pressure of the main campus. The Killeen location serves military families and offers flexible scheduling options. Students benefit from Texas's growing financial services sector while avoiding the debt loads common at private institutions.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in these finance programs?

The data shows mixed patterns, with some expensive programs performing poorly while affordable options excel. CUNY Baruch achieves a 72.1% graduation rate despite its $2,978 net cost, while Ohio University campuses struggle with rates below 20% despite similar pricing. St Petersburg College maintains a respectable 37.5% rate while paying students to attend. The correlation appears stronger with institutional support and student preparation than with price alone.

Where can finance students find the best debt-to-earnings ratio?

CUNY Baruch College offers the optimal combination with graduates earning $49,501 while carrying only $11,750 in debt, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio of 24%. CUNY Brooklyn College also performs well with $12,464 in average debt for graduates. Students at community colleges like St Petersburg may graduate debt-free but need to transfer for bachelor's completion. The key lies in choosing programs where financial aid generosity matches strong job placement outcomes in regional markets.

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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.