2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 137 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 the Southeast 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
Leading the list is Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned it the #2 place for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,744 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $33,536. That is a strong return on a $14,744 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State College At Jacksonville earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $4,840 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $24,813. Set against $4,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #5 place for general business/commerce. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $36,679. That is a strong return on a $26,100 median debt.
Louisiana State University Shreveport ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $28,907. General Business/commerce graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Northwest Arkansas Community College earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,238. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,313 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,888. Set against $11,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coahoma Community College placed #8 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,490. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $29,600. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $63,265. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Holmes Community College earned the #11 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,931 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $27,012 early in their careers. Set against $10,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York Technical College earned the #12 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $33,870. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College earned the #14 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $39,610. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #15 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $7,391. General Business/commerce graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $31,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,391 median debt.
Marshall University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $60,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southern Union State Community College landed the #18 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,555 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Southern Union State Community College generally make around $44,385. That is a strong return on a $11,555 median debt.
Mid South Community College placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,857 ten years after entry.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,572 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,357. That is a strong return on a $19,572 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Arkansas Northeastern College earned the #21 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public school located in the town of Blytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, with out-of-state students paying around $4,250. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,944 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,773. Set against $7,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,583 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. That is a strong return on a $18,583 median debt.
University Of Central Florida placed #23 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $20,896 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $62,337 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Murray State University landed the #24 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,200 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $51,237 early in their careers. Set against $18,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earned the #25 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,200. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,858 median debt.
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. 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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 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.