Strongest financial health – master's universities

These 50 master's universities rank highest by NACUBO Composite Financial Index (CFI), drawn from 455 institutions with reported data in the most recent U.S. Department of Education release (2024-25). California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (Arcata, CA) leads at 9.7.

#InstitutionFinancial Health Index (CFI)
1California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtCA · Public9.7
2Wayland Baptist UniversityTX · Private9.7
3Everglades UniversityFL · Private9.5
4Lindsey Wilson CollegeKY · Private9.4
5Geneva CollegePA · Private9.1
6California State University-BakersfieldCA · Public8.9
7Worcester State UniversityMA · Public8.9
8Mercy UniversityNY · Private8.8
9John Brown UniversityAR · Private8.7
10Freed-Hardeman UniversityTN · Private8.6
11Asbury UniversityKY · Private8.4
12Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionIN · Private8.4
13Savannah College of Art and DesignGA · Private8.4
14Weber State UniversityUT · Public8.4
15Bellevue UniversityNE · Private8.3
16Oklahoma Baptist UniversityOK · Private8.3
17Universidad Politecnica de Puerto RicoPR · Private8.3
18Siena Heights UniversityMI · Private8.2
19California State University-NorthridgeCA · Public8.1
20Bay Path UniversityMA · Private8.0
21Berry CollegeGA · Private8.0
22Citadel Military College of South CarolinaSC · Public8.0
23New England Institute of TechnologyRI · Private8.0
24Indiana University-South BendIN · Public7.9
25Indiana University-EastIN · Public7.8
26La Sierra UniversityCA · Private7.7
27Troy UniversityAL · Public7.7
28Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina CampusPR · Private7.7
29Hamline UniversityMN · Private7.6
30South Carolina State UniversitySC · Public7.6
31Southern New Hampshire UniversityNH · Private7.6
32Emporia State UniversityKS · Public7.5
33Lenoir-Rhyne UniversityNC · Private7.5
34Northwestern CollegeIA · Private7.5
35Indiana University-SoutheastIN · Public7.4
36Friends UniversityKS · Private7.3
37Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceRI · Private7.3
38Kettering UniversityMI · Private7.3
39Chaminade University of HonoluluHI · Private7.2
40Point Loma Nazarene UniversityCA · Private7.2
41Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPA · Private7.2
42Cedarville UniversityOH · Private7.1
43Dordt UniversityIA · Private7.1
44Elmhurst UniversityIL · Private7.1
45Ithaca CollegeNY · Private7.1
46Marist UniversityNY · Private7.1
47Muskingum UniversityOH · Private7.1
48University of Maryland Global CampusMD · Public7.1
49Evangel UniversityMO · Private7.0
50University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineNH · Public7.0

The Composite Financial Index (CFI) is the NACUBO/accreditor balance-sheet health score; bond-rating agencies track similar ratios. The CFI clamps and rewards reserves relative to budget size, so this list is limited to institutions with at least 1,000 undergraduates for comparability. A data ranking, not an Ibex endorsement or quality rating. Ranked solely on the metric named above using the most recent College Scorecard & IPEDS release, which lags the current academic year by 2–3 years. Institutions that do not report this metric are excluded. Figures and peer context appear on each institution’s profile.

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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard & IPEDS (most recent release, 2024-25), with NSF NCSES (HERD), the Clery Act & EADA collections, Census ACS, BLS Employment Projections, WICHE & the FSA Direct Loan Dashboard. Compiled by Ibex Insights. For informational benchmarking only, not financial, investment, or accreditation advice. See the methodology.