2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 208 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 the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Trident Technical College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Arkansas Community College earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,313. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,888. That is a strong return on a $11,313 median debt.
West Virginia University At Parkersburg came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,744 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $33,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Itawamba Community College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,420, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $4,840. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Itawamba Community College generally make around $24,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $26,100 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $36,679. That is a strong return on a $26,100 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $30,750. General Business/commerce graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $63,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
York Technical College earned the #8 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,000. General Business/commerce graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $33,870 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of De Queen, Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,190 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,018 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $36,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,018 median debt.
Mid South Community College earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.
Coahoma Community College earned the #11 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,490. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,745. 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 placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $15,787. General Business/commerce graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.
Midlands Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,610. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #15 among the best values for general business/commerce. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. Students borrow a median of $28,907 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,300. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Louisiana State University Shreveport admits about 50% of applicants.
Holmes Community College landed the #16 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $27,012. That is a strong return on a $10,931 median debt.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University came in at #17 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Keyser, Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, compared with $13,200 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,858. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Potomac State College Of West Virginia University generally make around $42,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarka College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Melbourne, Ozarka College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,820, with out-of-state students paying around $6,820. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,778. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Ozarka College generally make around $48,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-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. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of West Florida ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $22,500. General Business/commerce graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $43,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #21 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,427 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $44,027. Set against $21,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Technical College Of The Lowcountry landed the #22 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Beaufort. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,916. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,110. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,556. That is a strong return on a $17,110 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #23 spot for general business/commerce value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,572 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,357. Set against $19,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi Delta Community College earned the #24 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Moorhead, Mississippi Delta Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,819 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $42,854. That is a strong return on a $13,819 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College placed #25 among the best values for general business/commerce. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $18,583. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $61,814. That is a strong return on a $18,583 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), 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 · 208 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
