2026 Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Business Administration & Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 261 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value business administration & management schools.
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2026 Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business administration & management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools
For return on investment in business administration & management, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $10,458 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $43,956. Set against $10,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values for business administration & management. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $7,902. Business Administration & Management graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $33,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for business administration & management. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $7,925 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $25,875. That is a strong return on a $7,925 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in business administration & management will find it at Williston State College, which ranked #5. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Students borrow a median of $11,625 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $36,138. Set against $11,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College earned the #6 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $24,497. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #8 for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area earned the #9 position for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $14,297 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $36,781. Set against $14,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #10 position for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $14,596. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $33,906. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $13,274 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $34,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,452 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $100,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #13 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,171 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $38,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,171 median debt.
Colby Community College came in at #14 for value in business administration & management this year. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $5,830. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $14,796. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $40,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #15 position for value in business administration & management this year. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $12,043. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #16 spot for business administration & management value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $21,210 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from North Hennepin Community College generally make around $47,361. Set against $21,210 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $21,332. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $47,502. Set against $21,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #18 position for value in business administration & management this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College landed the #19 spot for business administration & management value this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,507 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,507 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Morris earned the #20 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $21,080. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $43,230. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #21 position for value in business administration & management this year. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $45,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #22 for value in business administration & management this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $16,190 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $37,385. That is a strong return on a $16,190 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #23 spot for business administration & management value this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $19,000. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $39,624. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
State Fair Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $10,343. Business Administration & Management graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $26,944 early in their careers. Set against $10,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #25 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Students borrow a median of $15,995 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in business administration & management:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 261 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 164 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.