2026 Best Value General Sales & Marketing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Sales & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/sales-merchandising-marketing-ops/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general sales & marketing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Sales & Marketing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general sales & marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Sales & Marketing Schools
Leading the list is Lake Land College, our #1 best value for general sales & marketing in the Great Lakes Region. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $30,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #2 place for general sales & marketing. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Dupage earned it the #3 place for general sales & marketing. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Joliet Junior College earned it the #4 place for general sales & marketing. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general sales & marketing will find it at Harper College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general sales & marketing schools. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Students borrow a median of $14,829 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $42,410. That is a strong return on a $14,829 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College landed the #7 spot for general sales & marketing value this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,595 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $46,398. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #8 spot for general sales & marketing value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. General Sales & Marketing graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #9 spot for general sales & marketing value this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $39,552. Set against $11,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #10 for value in general sales & marketing this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. General Sales & Marketing graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $42,016 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #11 spot for general sales & marketing value this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Students borrow a median of $13,319 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general sales & marketing schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College came in at #13 for value in general sales & marketing this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Students borrow a median of $11,626 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. General Sales & Marketing graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grand Rapids Community College came in at #14 for value in general sales & marketing this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $11,780 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Set against $11,780 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #15 spot for general sales & marketing value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general sales & marketing schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $14,234 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $45,531. That is a strong return on a $14,234 median debt.
Western Technical College La Cross earned the #17 position for value in general sales & marketing this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $13,669 in student loans. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $43,479. Set against $13,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for general sales & marketing. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $19,402 in student loans. General Sales & Marketing graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $62,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Purdue University Global came in at #19 for value in general sales & marketing this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, with out-of-state students paying around $14,412. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Purdue University Global generally make around $54,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton earned the #20 position for value in general sales & marketing this year. Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hamilton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,763 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from Miami University Hamilton generally make around $44,428. Set against $23,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #21 among the best values for general sales & marketing. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general sales & marketing degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $54,213. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for value in general sales & marketing this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $57,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #23 spot for general sales & marketing value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general sales & marketing program here. General Sales & Marketing graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $65,184 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #24 for value in general sales & marketing this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. General Sales & Marketing graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $49,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #25 position for value in general sales & marketing this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for general sales & marketing graduates is $25,000. Early-career general sales & marketing graduates make about $57,169. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Sales & Marketing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general sales & marketing this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
