2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 147 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in general business/commerce in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Frederick Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #2 spot this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $7,062 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $33,619. That is a strong return on a $7,062 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Raritan Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $8,287 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $38,387 early in their careers. 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 Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #4. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $11,728 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $29,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mercer County Community College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. In-state tuition and fees average $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Carroll Community College earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Union County College earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $6,456 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $27,225. Set against $6,456 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,499. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $36,801. Set against $17,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,250. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $29,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chesapeake College earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Chesapeake College earn a median of $52,395 early in their careers. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery County Community College placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,690, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $36,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $12,444 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $37,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Brookdale Community College placed #14 among the best values for general business/commerce. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Passaic County Community College landed the #15 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Passaic County Community College generally make around $35,905. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Maryland landed the #17 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from College Of Southern Maryland generally make around $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westmoreland County Community College came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College landed the #19 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,750. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,970. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #20 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,443. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #21 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $47,276. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Harford Community College placed #22 among the best values for general business/commerce. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Baltimore City Community College earned the #23 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Prince Georges Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Largo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, while out-of-state students pay about $8,762. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,837 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $56,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, compared with $13,350 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,393 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $23,730. Set against $12,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business/commerce value ranking:
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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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
