2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 241 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 The Plains States 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
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for general business administration and management in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $10,458 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $43,956. Set against $10,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $7,902. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $33,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #3 spot this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $35,742. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,500. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $24,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business administration and management will find it at St Charles Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #6 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,297 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $36,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College earned the #7 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bismarck State College landed the #8 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $15,452. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $100,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College landed the #9 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $14,596. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $33,906 early in their careers. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,274 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $34,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colby Community College earned the #11 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the town of Colby, Colby Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $40,598. That is a strong return on a $14,796 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City placed #12 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $13,171. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $38,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #13 spot for general business administration and management value this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Century College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #15 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $21,210. General Business Administration And Management graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $47,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College landed the #16 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $15,390. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College landed the #17 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Moberly Area Community College generally make around $44,755. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #18 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,710. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $21,080. General Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Morris earn a median of $43,230 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Kirkwood Community College placed #19 among the best values for general business administration and management. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $16,190 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $37,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,190 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College came in at #20 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $11,577. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $45,382. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #21 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
State Fair Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,343 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $26,944. That is a strong return on a $10,343 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District placed #23 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #24 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,811 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $35,852. That is a strong return on a $10,811 median debt.
Truman State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $24,549. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $50,422. That is a strong return on a $24,549 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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
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 · 241 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 153 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.
