by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 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.
South College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in Tennessee. Located in the city of Knoxville, South College is a large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,535. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,533. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,389. Set against $24,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Strayer University Tennessee, which ranked #2. Strayer University Tennessee is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $44,664. General Business/commerce graduates of Strayer University Tennessee earn a median of $49,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bethel University Tennessee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,188 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of $62,083 early in their careers. Set against $24,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at King College, which ranked #4. King College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bristol. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,579. General Business/commerce graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. Set against $25,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. King College admits about 100% of applicants.
Belmont University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $58,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.