2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Maryland

[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Maryland
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
Frederick Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in Maryland. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $7,062 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $33,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carroll Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chesapeake College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,274, with out-of-state students paying around $8,768. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $52,395. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from The Community College Of Baltimore County generally make around $36,801. Set against $17,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Montgomery College is a very large public school located in the city of Rockville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $29,449. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Hagerstown Community College earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $41,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Maryland earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of La Plata, College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $9,450. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $51,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baltimore City Community College came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,394. Students borrow a median of $11,202 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $51,023. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Wor Wic Community College came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Salisbury, Wor Wic Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $8,400. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Wor Wic Community College earn a median of $51,392 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,995 median debt.
Harford Community College came in at #10 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Prince Georges Community College landed the #11 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, with out-of-state students paying around $8,762. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Prince Georges Community College generally make around $56,960. That is a strong return on a $11,837 median debt.
Howard Community College earned the #12 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Howard Community College is a large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,836. Students borrow a median of $18,115 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $56,172. Set against $18,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland University College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,276 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $65,890. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Anne Arundel Community College came in at #15 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,947. General Business/commerce graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Baltimore placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $52,329. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $128,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Strayer University Maryland came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Suitland, Strayer University Maryland is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $44,664. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,793. Set against $44,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bowie State University came in at #19 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $47,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Mount St Marys University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,630 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mount St Marys University generally make around $46,859. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.