by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/business-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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 Peru State College, our #1 best value for business education in Nebraska. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Business Education graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Business Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chadron State College earned it the #2 place for business education. Set in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,294 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,943 to complete the business education program here. Early-career business education graduates make about $46,824. That is a strong return on a $24,943 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in business education will find it at Wayne State College, which ranked #3. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,957 to complete the business education program here. 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.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Typical student debt for business education graduates is $26,287. Business Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $49,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,287 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Business Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $45,786. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Hastings College earned the #6 position for value in business education this year. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,770. Business Education graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career business education graduates make about $42,417. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Hastings College admits about 72% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.