2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in California
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 88 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in general business/commerce in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Gavilan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,939 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,384. General Business/commerce graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Reedley College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College landed the #7 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
Norco College landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Shasta College came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victor Valley College came in at #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $26,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Taft College landed the #11 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the town of Taft, Taft College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,108, compared with $10,852 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $38,861 ten years out.
Sacramento City College came in at #12 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #13 among the best values for general business/commerce. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb 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 $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverside City College placed #14 among the best values for general business/commerce. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $8,767. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Chabot College placed #15 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Redwoods landed the #16 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $8,852. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Merced College placed #17 among the best values for general business/commerce. Merced College is a large public school located in the city of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,200, compared with $8,520 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,024 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Merced College earn a median of $45,032 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cosumnes River College came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $19,699. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College landed the #19 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Allan Hancock College earned the #21 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Long Beach City College came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College placed #23 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miracosta College landed the #24 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Oceanside, Miracosta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,845 ten years after entry.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #25 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 46 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business/commerce value ranking:
More General Business/Commerce Rankings
View All General Business/Commerce Rankings >
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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
