by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business Administration & Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for business administration & management students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business administration & management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Fort Peck Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools in Montana. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.
Little Big Horn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business administration & management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Crow Agency, Little Big Horn College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $21,152.
Montana State University Northern came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,982, with out-of-state students paying around $21,875. Students borrow a median of $23,526 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Montana State University Northern earn a median of $40,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,526 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Montana State University Billings one of the best values for business administration & management. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Montana Western one of the best values for business administration & management. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Students borrow a median of $21,627 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $35,880. That is a strong return on a $21,627 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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The University Of Montana landed the #6 spot for business administration & management value this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $23,923. Business Administration & Management graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $54,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rocky Mountain College earned the #7 position for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,582. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $42,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University came in at #8 for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $23,635. Business Administration & Management graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls earned the #9 position for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,448. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from University Of Great Falls generally make around $104,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
Carroll College placed #10 among the best values for business administration & management. Set in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,484. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Carroll College generally make around $48,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.