2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Kentucky
[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 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 Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Northern Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $30,750. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $63,265. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Murray State University one of the best values for general business/commerce. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $18,200 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $51,237. That is a strong return on a $18,200 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Kentucky University one of the best values for general business/commerce. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $41,502. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Cumberlands earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $46,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Morehead State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,903 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $54,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,055 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $60,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,840. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,938. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $43,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Brescia University placed #8 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Owensboro, Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,550. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $33,995. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $37,406. That is a strong return on a $33,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 35%.
University Of Louisville placed #9 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $76,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Campbellsville University landed the #10 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Campbellsville. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,675. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $48,624. That is a strong return on a $24,675 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Transylvania University came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,044 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,614. Set against $26,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Midway College placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Midway. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Midway College earn a median of $38,334 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Spalding University landed the #13 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $29,000. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $54,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Sullivan University landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $43,625 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $56,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kentucky Wesleyan College earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,673. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of $41,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
