[Business Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/business-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 101 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business education students.
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Finding the Best Value Business Education School for You
The right business education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Business Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Business Education Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
California State University Northridge earned the #1 spot for value among business education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Business Education graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Business Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in business education will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Business Education graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,715 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. Set against $18,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in business education will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $30,515 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $49,907. Set against $30,515 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #5 place for business education. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $45,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for value in business education this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for business education value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Utah State University earned the #8 position for value in business education this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $14,757 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value business education schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $23,009. Early-career business education graduates make about $41,914. Set against $23,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #10 for value in business education this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Business Education graduates carry a median of $22,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from University Of The Cumberlands generally make around $45,541. Set against $22,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Arkansas Tech University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value business education schools. Set in the town of Russellville, Arkansas Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,000. Early-career business education graduates make about $45,115. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #12 position for value in business education this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Chadron State College came in at #13 for value in business education this year. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Chadron State College generally make around $46,824. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peru State College earned the #14 position for value in business education this year. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,254. Early-career business education graduates make about $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Youngstown State University earned the #15 position for value in business education this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,751. Business Education graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University landed the #16 spot for business education value this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Business Education graduates carry a median of $23,082 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $41,086. That is a strong return on a $23,082 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Minot State University earned the #17 position for value in business education this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Business Education graduates carry a median of $28,324 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Ferris State University came in at #18 for value in business education this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $29,076. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $44,977. Set against $29,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Valley City State University landed the #19 spot for business education value this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,394. Early-career business education graduates make about $51,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value business education schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #21 position for value in business education this year. Set in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #22 for value in business education this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $52,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #23 for value in business education this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $63,267. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #24 among the best values for business education. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College earned the #25 position for value in business education this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Business Education graduates carry a median of $25,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $42,589. That is a strong return on a $25,957 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for business education this year:
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 · 101 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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).
[Business Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/business-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business education education at a price that pays off.
