by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business Administration & Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 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.
Our analysis ranked Oglala Lakota College the best value for a degree in business administration & management in South Dakota. Oglala Lakota College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kyle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,684. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $22,517.
Mitchell Technical Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business administration & management, landing the #2 spot this year. Mitchell Technical Institute is a small public school located in the town of Mitchell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,524. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $47,686. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Sisseton Wahpeton College one of the best values for business administration & management. Set in the rural area of Sisseton, Sisseton Wahpeton College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,330. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,546 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in business administration & management will find it at Sinte Gleska University, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Mission, Sinte Gleska University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,714. Median earnings reach $20,948 ten years out.
Black Hills State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business administration & management, landing the #5 spot this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $45,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Northern State University came in at #6 for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $43,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota came in at #7 for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $22,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $61,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Dakota Wesleyan University landed the #8 spot for business administration & management value this year. Located in the town of Mitchell, Dakota Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,790. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Dakota Wesleyan University generally make around $71,856. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Dakota State University came in at #9 for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $30,625. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $44,748. That is a strong return on a $30,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Sioux Falls ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,750. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $54,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
National American University Rapid City landed the #11 spot for business administration & management value this year. National American University Rapid City is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rapid City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,065. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $38,641. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from National American University Rapid City generally make around $46,540. That is a strong return on a $38,641 median debt.
Mount Marty College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Yankton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Mount Marty College generally make around $39,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota placed #13 among the best values for business administration & management. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,160. Students borrow a median of $25,112 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Augustana College South Dakota generally make around $50,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College South Dakota admits about 68% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.