2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
For return on investment in general business/commerce, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for general business/commerce. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,525 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Laramie County Community College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Sheridan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $8,463. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,039. That is a strong return on a $8,463 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho placed #6 among the best values for general business/commerce. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $31,455.
Red Rocks Community College placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,448 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,448 median debt.
Front Range Community College earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,384. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $40,414. That is a strong return on a $17,384 median debt.
University Of Utah came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
North Idaho College landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $43,067 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Junior College came in at #14 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,730, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,156. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $38,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Adams State College landed the #16 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,624. General Business/commerce graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $40,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $51,764 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs generally make around $37,212. Set against $51,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana came in at #19 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,289, with out-of-state students paying around $26,094. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,271. General Business/commerce graduates of Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana earn a median of $46,181 early in their careers. Set against $21,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Idaho State University earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,640. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. That is a strong return on a $24,640 median debt.
Fort Lewis College came in at #21 for value in general business/commerce this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $33,376. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,800 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,116. Set against $24,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Montana State University placed #23 among the best values for general business/commerce. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $48,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver came in at #24 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,000. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $89,350 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
