2027 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Illinois
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 65 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general business administration and management schools.
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2027 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business administration and management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among general business administration and management schools in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $39,887. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $11,149. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Lake Land College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Triton College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Oakton Community College one of the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
Kankakee Community College came in at #6 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College came in at #7 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $46,497. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County placed #10 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #11 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College landed the #12 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #13 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $20,832 to complete the general business administration and management program here. General Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $76,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,832 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #14 among the best values for general business administration and management. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $59,334. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Sauk Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $12,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Xavier University came in at #16 for value in general business administration and management this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $90,420 early in their careers. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Parkland College landed the #17 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $40,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College placed #18 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $59,982. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earned the #19 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,478 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $25,842. That is a strong return on a $8,478 median debt.
Waubonsee Community College placed #20 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $9,939. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Waubonsee Community College earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,939 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #21 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $19,175 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $93,621 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,175 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Governors State University landed the #22 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Governors State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $20,207 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Governors State University generally make around $58,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University earned the #23 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $54,105. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #24 among the best values for general business administration and management. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $68,932. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
National Louis University placed #25 among the best values for general business administration and management. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $24,957 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $60,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business administration and management value ranking:
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
