2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 349 schools to find the best return on investment for general business administration and management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business administration and management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
For return on investment in general business administration and management, no school beat Moraine Valley Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $19,691. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $41,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at Lewis And Clark Community College, which ranked #3. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Delta College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $11,195 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $33,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Joliet Junior College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $39,887. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College landed the #6 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,815. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $38,120 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,815 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #7 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $37,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College placed #8 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $7,727. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Lake Land College landed the #9 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $7,769. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College earned the #10 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $11,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $35,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #11 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $11,533. General Business Administration And Management graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #12 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $46,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Macomb Community College landed the #13 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $9,500. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,491. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,159 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $37,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College landed the #15 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $33,086 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College landed the #16 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College placed #17 among the best values for general business administration and management. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,100 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $29,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,963. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $59,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #19 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Triton College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $12,994. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Lansing Community College landed the #21 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $17,248 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $43,026 early in their careers. Set against $17,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College landed the #22 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College earned the #23 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $8,897 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $44,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College landed the #24 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,985 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $7,750. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Kankakee Community College earned the #25 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general business administration and management:
Narrow General Business Administration and Management Schools by State
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
View All General Business Administration and Management Rankings >
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 · 349 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 231 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.
