by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Mid South Community College, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in Arkansas. Located in the suburb of West Memphis, Mid South Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
A rank of #2 makes Ozarka College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,820, compared with $6,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,778. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Set against $11,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Northwest Arkansas Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,313 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $31,888. Set against $11,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $7,018. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $36,808. Set against $7,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Hope came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the town of Hope, University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,885, compared with $5,565 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
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Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $23,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,265. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $64,187. Set against $9,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,776. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Arkansas State University Mountain Home generally make around $39,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Newport ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,951. General Business/commerce graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $44,500 early in their careers. Set against $9,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Arkansas College landed the #10 spot for general business/commerce value this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $10,095. General Business/commerce graduates of North Arkansas College earn a median of $30,627 early in their careers. Set against $10,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Arkansas College earned the #11 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Southeast Arkansas College is a small public school located in the town of Pine Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,200, compared with $8,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,008. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $30,715. Set against $12,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National Park Community College earned the #12 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, with out-of-state students paying around $7,280. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,162. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,458. That is a strong return on a $14,162 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,399. General Business/commerce graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $48,847 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton earned the #14 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Morrilton, University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $4,728. Students borrow a median of $13,758 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton admits about 100% of applicants.
Pulaski Technical College earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $32,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $34,910. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Central Arkansas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Henderson State University came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Arkadelphia, Henderson State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Henderson State University earn a median of $46,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Arkansas earned the #19 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Arkansas is a very large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Students borrow a median of $29,625 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Arkansas earn a median of $49,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.