2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Illinois
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
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2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Illinois
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 Moraine Valley Community College this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Richland Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,562. General Business/commerce graduates of Richland Community College earn a median of $46,233 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kaskaskia College earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Centralia. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,570. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,875 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Xavier University earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $26,845 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $44,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Rend Lake College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, while out-of-state students pay about $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
University Of Chicago earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $45,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Students borrow a median of $28,722 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $48,400. Set against $28,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,704. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,699. Students borrow a median of $21,356 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $31,807 early in their careers. Set against $21,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Forest College placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Lake Forest College generally make around $44,283. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Devry University Illinois ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Devry University Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $17,008. Students borrow a median of $38,840 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Devry University Illinois earn a median of $50,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
