by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in Massachusetts. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $7,480. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $35,815. That is a strong return on a $7,480 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $44,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,200 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $19,969. Set against $7,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenfield Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Students borrow a median of $12,269 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $58,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mount Wachusett Community College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,825. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,490 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Westfield State University placed #8 among the best values for general business/commerce. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $41,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,973. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $59,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western New England University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,820. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,520. General Business/commerce graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $70,597 early in their careers. Set against $25,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University earned the #11 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $95,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Nichols College came in at #12 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Dudley, Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,705 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,356. General Business/commerce graduates of Nichols College earn a median of $44,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,356 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University placed #13 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $55,806. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #14 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $91,834. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Emerson College earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,056 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,813. General Business/commerce graduates of Emerson College earn a median of $40,654 early in their careers. Set against $24,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.