[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) 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 948 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Business/Commerce School for You
Where you study general business/commerce affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
For return on investment in general business/commerce, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for general business/commerce. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American River College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gavilan College placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Gilroy. In-state tuition and fees average $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $7,062. General Business/commerce graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $33,619 early in their careers. Set against $7,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $10,400 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $10,928. General Business/commerce graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Pima Community College landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,974 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,107 early in their careers. Set against $9,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,275. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Folsom Lake College landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
El Centro College came in at #15 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $34,095. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Cosumnes River College earned the #16 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Cosumnes River College generally make around $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #17 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,421. General Business/commerce graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $24,738 early in their careers. Set against $5,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Moraine Valley Community College earned the #21 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College earned the #22 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #23 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #24 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victor Valley College earned the #25 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, compared with $10,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,250. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $26,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general business/commerce this year:
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 · 948 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 421 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).
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) 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.
