2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Illinois

[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 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 Illinois
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
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in Illinois. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Richland Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,562. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Kaskaskia College, which ranked #3. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Kaskaskia College generally make around $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rend Lake College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,500, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,845. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,190. Set against $26,845 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,788. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,015. That is a strong return on a $17,788 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Trinity International University Illinois came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,320. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,180. General Business/commerce graduates of Trinity International University Illinois earn a median of $47,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,180 median debt. Trinity International University Illinois admits about 100% of applicants.
Lake Forest College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $44,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #10 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,857. General Business/commerce graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,808 early in their careers. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Devry University Illinois ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $38,840. General Business/commerce graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $50,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.