2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Ohio
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Ohio
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
Leading the list is North Central State College, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in Ohio. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at James A Rhodes State College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $45,238. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
Edison State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $15,406. 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.
Gods Bible School And College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,710. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,722 ten years after entry. Gods Bible School And College admits about 75% of applicants.
Wright State University Lake Campus landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,372, with out-of-state students paying around $17,072. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,523. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,373. General Business/commerce graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $99,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Lima Campus landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,900. General Business/commerce graduates of Ohio State University Lima Campus earn a median of $48,597 early in their careers. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kent State University At Geauga landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Kent State University At Geauga is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Burton. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,565 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Kent State University At Geauga earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas came in at #10 for value in general business/commerce this year. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, compared with $17,969 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,565. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $38,871. Set against $20,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,639, with out-of-state students paying around $13,871. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,221. Set against $20,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Parma, Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,013. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,302. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Bryant And Stratton College Parma generally make around $30,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University earned the #14 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,569 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $29,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,900. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,597. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo placed #17 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Bowling Green State University Firelands placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Huron. Students from in state pay about $6,131 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,119. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,222. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Firelands generally make around $45,610. Set against $20,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wittenberg University landed the #19 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,940 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Wittenberg University earn a median of $40,093 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wittenberg University admits about 72% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #20 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,565 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,565 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ashland University came in at #21 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $30,625. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,262. That is a strong return on a $30,625 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Rio Grande earned the #22 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Rio Grande. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,560. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Rio Grande earn a median of $46,611 early in their careers. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,769 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $46,018. Set against $25,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Defiance College placed #25 among the best values for general business/commerce. Defiance College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Defiance. Students from in state pay about $29,320 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Defiance College generally make around $31,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
