2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in California
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
San Diego Mesa College tops our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Gavilan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. Students from in state pay about $1,508 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,939 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #4. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Reedley College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Folsom Lake College earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Norco College earned the #8 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College came in at #10 for value in general business/commerce this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,250. General Business/commerce graduates of Victor Valley College earn a median of $26,272 early in their careers. Set against $5,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Taft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Taft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,108, while out-of-state students pay about $10,852. Median earnings reach $38,861 ten years out.
Sacramento City College placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #13 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College earned the #14 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $8,686. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,122. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
College Of The Redwoods placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College landed the #17 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Merced, Merced College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,200, with out-of-state students paying around $8,520. Students borrow a median of $9,024 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Merced College generally make around $45,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Cosumnes River College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $19,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College came in at #20 for value in general business/commerce this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Allan Hancock College landed the #21 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Long Beach City College came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Diablo Valley College landed the #23 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College placed #24 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,158, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Median earnings reach $43,845 ten years out.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #25 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general business/commerce:
More General Business/Commerce Rankings
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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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
