2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Kentucky

[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
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2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
For return on investment in general business/commerce, no school beat Northern Kentucky University this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $63,265. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $18,200. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brescia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,550. Students borrow a median of $33,995 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Brescia University generally make around $37,406. That is a strong return on a $33,995 median debt. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Kentucky State University, which ranked #4. Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frankfort. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $27,013. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. Kentucky State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Morehead State University one of the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Students borrow a median of $25,903 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $54,335. That is a strong return on a $25,903 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $41,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,219 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown College placed #8 among the best values for general business/commerce. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. Students from in state pay about $42,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,938. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Georgetown College generally make around $43,752. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Louisville came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,910. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $76,142. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Kentucky Wesleyan College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Owensboro, Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,673 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,000. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,059. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kentucky Wesleyan College admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,055 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Campbellsville University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,998. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,675 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,624. That is a strong return on a $24,675 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Centre College landed the #13 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,820. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,560 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $32,327. Set against $26,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Centre College admits about 54% of applicants.
Transylvania University landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,870. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,044. General Business/commerce graduates of Transylvania University earn a median of $31,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Spalding University landed the #15 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Spalding University generally make around $54,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Sullivan University landed the #16 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $43,625 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $56,432. Set against $43,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midway College placed #17 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,110. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Midway College earn a median of $38,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Midway College admits about 95% of applicants.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.