2027 Best Value Retail Management Associate’s Degree Schools

[Retail Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/retail-management/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for retail management students.
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2027 Best Value Retail Management Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in retail management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Retail Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in retail management in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for retail management. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Irvine Valley College earned it the #3 place for retail management. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Ventura College one of the best values for retail management. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career retail management graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in retail management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo came in at #6 for value in retail management this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the retail management program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for value in retail management this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete the retail management program here. Early-career retail management graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value retail management schools. Located in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the retail management program here. Early-career retail management graduates make about $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value retail management schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for retail management graduates is $7,975. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $56,738. That is a strong return on a $7,975 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #10 spot for retail management value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Retail Management graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in retail management this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the retail management program here. Early-career retail management graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #12 among the best values for retail management. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $30,315. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College landed the #13 spot for retail management value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Retail Management graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career retail management graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College placed #14 among the best values for retail management. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the retail management program here. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #15 among the best values for retail management. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for retail management graduates is $5,681. Retail Management graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $20,816 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College came in at #16 for value in retail management this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for retail management graduates is $6,176. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Solano Community College placed #17 among the best values for retail management. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, with out-of-state students paying around $9,772. Typical student debt for retail management graduates is $10,500. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #18 among the best values for retail management. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Tarrant County College District ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value retail management schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the retail management program here. Early-career retail management graduates make about $43,700. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
Chaffey College came in at #20 for value in retail management this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,459 to complete the retail management program here. Retail Management graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,459 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #21 position for value in retail management this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,224 to complete the retail management program here. Retail Management graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $37,010 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,224 median debt.
Modesto Junior College earned the #22 position for value in retail management this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the retail management program here. Soon after graduation, retail management degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $28,331. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College placed #23 among the best values for retail management. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Citrus College placed #24 among the best values for retail management. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Norco College came in at #25 for value in retail management this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the retail management program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Retail Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in retail management:
Other Retail Management Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Retail Management rankings across degree levels:
View All Retail Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 100 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.