by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/business-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Chadron State College, our #1 best value for business education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. 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. Early-career business education graduates make about $46,824. Set against $24,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peru State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $40,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #3 place for business education. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $23,082. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $41,086. That is a strong return on a $23,082 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minot State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $28,324 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $44,973 early in their careers. Set against $28,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for business education. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,000. Business Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $52,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
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Valley City State University came in at #6 for value in business education this year. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Business Education graduates carry a median of $24,394 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $51,170. That is a strong return on a $24,394 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College placed #7 among the best values for business education. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $25,957. Business Education graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $42,589 early in their careers. Set against $25,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #8 position for value in business education this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,221. Early-career business education graduates make about $38,832. Set against $26,221 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Emporia State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value business education schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the business education program here. Business Education graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $52,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Dickinson State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value business education schools. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $27,266. Early-career business education graduates make about $44,841. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for business education value this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $25,485. Early-career business education graduates make about $46,970. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #12 spot for business education value this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $49,697. That is a strong return on a $26,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #13 position for value in business education this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $23,000. Early-career business education graduates make about $45,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #14 position for value in business education this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,762 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $44,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,762 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Buena Vista University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business education schools. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,798. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $29,008. Business Education graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,008 median debt. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Mary landed the #16 spot for business education value this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,399 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $65,565. That is a strong return on a $27,399 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Dakota State University landed the #17 spot for business education value this year. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,724 to complete the business education program here. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Dakota State University generally make around $51,970. Set against $28,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Hastings College placed #18 among the best values for business education. Set in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $24,125. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $42,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
William Penn University earned the #19 position for value in business education this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Business Education graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $39,727. That is a strong return on a $28,341 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University earned the #20 position for value in business education this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $50,705. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa landed the #21 spot for business education value this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University placed #22 among the best values for business education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Business Education graduates carry a median of $27,337 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $45,270 early in their careers. Set against $27,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Baptist University admits about 69% of applicants.
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
