2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
For return on investment in general business/commerce, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $37,532. Set against $10,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #2 spot this year. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Students borrow a median of $9,642 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. That is a strong return on a $9,642 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
North Central State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Richland Community College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College placed #6 among the best values for general business/commerce. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $32,406 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,003. Set against $32,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,730. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College placed #8 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,267. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Kokomo earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,744 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $43,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,744 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lansing Community College placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Lansing Community College is a large public school located in the city of Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,103. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $41,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland University came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $56,118 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana University Northwest placed #14 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,822 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $60,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,822 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Edison State Community College came in at #15 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Southeast came in at #16 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of New Albany, Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,062 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Indiana University Southeast generally make around $47,862. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,238. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Clair County Community College earned the #18 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Port Huron, St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,212, with out-of-state students paying around $12,150. Students borrow a median of $16,379 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from St Clair County Community College generally make around $45,735. That is a strong return on a $16,379 median debt.
Mott Community College placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Flint, Mott Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Students borrow a median of $20,645 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $37,989. Set against $20,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University South Bend placed #20 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $70,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Purdue University Global came in at #21 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,354 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $37,929 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gogebic Community College came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Ironwood, Gogebic Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Gogebic Community College generally make around $62,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kaskaskia College came in at #23 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Michigan College earned the #24 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,417 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,394. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #25 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,252 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $68,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business/commerce value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 87 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.
