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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Pima Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools in Arizona. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,974 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,107. That is a strong return on a $9,974 median debt.
Rio Salado College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yavapai College earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Phoenix College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $15,996. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,483. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Mountain Community College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $10,447. General Business/commerce graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $15,736. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College earned the #11 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,750. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,204. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Paradise Valley Community College generally make around $71,136. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.