2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 147 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. 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. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Frederick Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,062 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Raritan Valley Community College earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $8,287 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $38,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,287 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,728. General Business/commerce graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $29,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,728 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Mercer County Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Carroll Community College earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,058. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
Union County College landed the #7 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $6,456 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $27,225. That is a strong return on a $6,456 median debt.
The Community College Of Baltimore County ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Students borrow a median of $17,499 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $36,801. That is a strong return on a $17,499 median debt.
Montgomery College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $29,449. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chesapeake College earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. Students from in state pay about $4,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $8,380. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $52,395. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
Montgomery County Community College came in at #12 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,000. General Business/commerce graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $36,274 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $12,444 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $37,978. That is a strong return on a $12,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brookdale Community College placed #14 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Passaic County Community College came in at #15 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. General Business/commerce graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $35,905 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $11,154 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Delaware Technical Community College Terry earn a median of $43,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Maryland earned the #17 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,719. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hagerstown Community College placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Hagerstown Community College earn a median of $41,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #20 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,274. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. That is a strong return on a $20,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,500. General Business/commerce graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $47,276 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,636. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Baltimore City Community College earned the #23 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $3,314, compared with $7,394 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,202. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,023. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College placed #24 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,837. General Business/commerce graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,837 median debt.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $7,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,393 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $23,730. That is a strong return on a $12,393 median debt.
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 · 147 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
