by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Mid South Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools in Arkansas. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,126, with out-of-state students paying around $4,824. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.
Ozarka College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,778 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Arkansas Community College earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Students borrow a median of $11,313 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,888. Set against $11,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Located in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,018 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $36,808. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at University Of Arkansas Community College Hope, which ranked #5. University Of Arkansas Community College Hope is a small public school located in the town of Hope. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,885, with out-of-state students paying around $5,565. Median earnings reach $34,162 ten years out.
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Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,336, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $23,663. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of Batesville, University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $4,662 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,265. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville generally make around $64,187. Set against $9,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arkansas State University Mountain Home came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Mountain Home, Arkansas State University Mountain Home is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,312, compared with $4,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,097 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,011. That is a strong return on a $18,097 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,951 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,500. That is a strong return on a $9,951 median debt.
North Arkansas College landed the #10 spot for general business/commerce value this year. North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Harrison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,504, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $10,095. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $30,627. Set against $10,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Arkansas College came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,200, compared with $8,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,008. General Business/commerce graduates of Southeast Arkansas College earn a median of $30,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,008 median debt.
National Park Community College landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. National Park Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hot Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,600, compared with $7,280 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,162. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,458. That is a strong return on a $14,162 median debt.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton came in at #14 for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Arkansas Community College Morrilton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Morrilton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $4,728. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,758 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,729. Set against $13,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Pulaski Technical College placed #15 among the best values for general business/commerce. Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of North Little Rock. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,750. General Business/commerce graduates of Pulaski Technical College earn a median of $32,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $34,910. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #17 for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,000. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,892. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson State University placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. Henderson State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,244, compared with $10,620 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,122. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arkansas ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $29,625 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.