2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 135 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Our analysis ranked Oakland Community College the best value for a degree in general business/commerce in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Schoolcraft College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,642 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,283. That is a strong return on a $9,642 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at North Central State College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,236. General Business/commerce graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,149. General Business/commerce graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henry Ford Community College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $32,406. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $10,281. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $37,532. Set against $10,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskegon Community College landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Mott Community College earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Mott Community College earn a median of $37,989 early in their careers. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gogebic Community College placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #12 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #13 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $60,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #14 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $22,062 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Southeast earn a median of $47,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,744 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $43,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University South Bend placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $70,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College landed the #17 spot for general business/commerce value this year. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,525. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,070. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,238. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College earned the #19 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $7,875. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,658. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #20 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,252 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $68,863. That is a strong return on a $23,252 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rend Lake College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Southwestern Michigan College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, with out-of-state students paying around $8,394. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #23 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,780. General Business/commerce graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,780 median debt.
St Clair County Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $45,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University placed #25 among the best values for general business/commerce. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,668 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $40,115. That is a strong return on a $10,668 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general business/commerce this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 135 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
