2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 135 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 the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Oakland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,642. General Business/commerce graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes North Central State College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,149. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Henry Ford Community College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $32,406 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,003. Set against $32,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $37,532. Set against $10,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskegon Community College came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mott Community College landed the #10 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mott Community College generally make around $37,989. That is a strong return on a $20,645 median debt.
Gogebic Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $15,250. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $62,642. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #12 for value in general business/commerce this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,730. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Northwest earned the #13 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,822. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $60,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Southeast landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $22,062. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $47,862. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. Indiana University Southeast admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Kokomo ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Kokomo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,744 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,858. That is a strong return on a $24,744 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University South Bend placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $70,752. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #17 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,525 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,525 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Students borrow a median of $17,070 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,238. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
Kaskaskia College landed the #19 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, compared with $12,570 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,252 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $68,863. Set against $23,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rend Lake College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #22 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #23 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $4,179, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,780. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College earned the #24 position for value in general business/commerce this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of St Clair County Community College earn a median of $45,735 early in their careers. Set against $16,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,668 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $40,115. 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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 135 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
