2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Associate’s Degree Schools
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 948 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in general business/commerce in the United States. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
American River College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Gavilan College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, while out-of-state students pay about $12,249. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,939. General Business/commerce graduates of Gavilan College earn a median of $28,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Frederick Community College landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. 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. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $33,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $10,400. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $44,682. That is a strong return on a $10,400 median debt.
College Of The Mainland landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
Cosumnes River College landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Cosumnes River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,500. General Business/commerce graduates of Cosumnes River College earn a median of $19,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Palomar College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Pima Community College came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,974. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,107. That is a strong return on a $9,974 median debt.
Shasta College placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College landed the #13 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
El Centro College landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $34,095. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Students borrow a median of $13,940 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $39,680. That is a strong return on a $13,940 median debt.
Sacramento City College earned the #16 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,180. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #17 among the best values for general business/commerce. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $5,421. General Business/commerce graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $24,738 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #18 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $29,736. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Diablo Valley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,205. General Business/commerce graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Victor Valley College landed the #20 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $26,272. That is a strong return on a $5,250 median debt.
Trident Technical College placed #21 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland Community College came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $15,865. General Business/commerce graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #23 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #24 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,642 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College earned the #25 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general business/commerce:
Other General Business/Commerce Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Business/Commerce rankings across degree levels:
View All General Business/Commerce Rankings >
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 · 948 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 183 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.
