2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Illinois
[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 92 schools to find the best return on investment for general business administration and management students.
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2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Illinois
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
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general business administration and management schools in Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $11,149. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $6,000. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $41,313. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #5 place for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $39,887. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Elgin Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Triton College came in at #7 for value in general business administration and management this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $12,994. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage earned the #8 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $46,497. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #9 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College placed #10 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,963. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Harper College earn a median of $59,982 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #11 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waubonsee Community College landed the #12 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Waubonsee Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Waubonsee Community College generally make around $39,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College earned the #13 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College came in at #14 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $8,478. General Business Administration And Management graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rock Valley College came in at #15 for value in general business administration and management this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. In-state tuition and fees average $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #17 among the best values for general business administration and management. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $59,334. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Sauk Valley Community College came in at #18 for value in general business administration and management this year. Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dixon. Students from in state pay about $5,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Students borrow a median of $12,811 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Set against $12,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Millikin University earned the #19 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $55,915. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $20,832 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $76,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University landed the #21 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,207 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $58,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #22 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $22,500. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $68,932 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saint Xavier University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $90,420. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #24 for value in general business administration and management this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $19,175 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $93,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Illinois Central College landed the #25 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $12,222 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $53,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business administration and management value ranking:
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
View All General Business Administration and Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 92 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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.
