2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Ohio

[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 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 Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
North Central State College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in Ohio. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at James A Rhodes State College earned it the #3 place for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Students borrow a median of $17,070 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Edison State Community College, which ranked #4. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Gods Bible School And College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Gods Bible School And College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,710. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,722 ten years after entry. Gods Bible School And College admits about 75% of applicants.
Wright State University Lake Campus earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Celina, Wright State University Lake Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,372, while out-of-state students pay about $17,072. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Wright State University Lake Campus earn a median of $46,523 early in their careers. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Youngstown State University earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,373 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $99,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Lima Campus landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kent State University At Geauga earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Kent State University At Geauga is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Burton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,565. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Kent State University At Geauga generally make around $38,871. That is a strong return on a $20,565 median debt.
Kent State University At Tuscarawas came in at #10 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,565 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $38,871. Set against $20,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,017. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,221. Set against $20,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bryant And Stratton College Parma came in at #12 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Parma, Bryant And Stratton College Parma is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,013 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,302 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Bryant And Stratton College Parma earn a median of $30,059 early in their careers. Set against $19,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland State University earned the #13 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $49,648 early in their careers. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Central State University landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Central State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $31,569 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $29,472. That is a strong return on a $31,569 median debt. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Ohio State University Newark Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, compared with $36,266 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,900 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,597. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $46,523. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo placed #17 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,923. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Firelands came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Huron, Bowling Green State University Firelands is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,131, while out-of-state students pay about $14,119. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,222. General Business/commerce graduates of Bowling Green State University Firelands earn a median of $45,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,222 median debt.
Wittenberg University landed the #19 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #20 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,565 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. Set against $20,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ashland University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Students borrow a median of $30,625 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $50,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Rio Grande came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Rio Grande, University Of Rio Grande is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,560. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,611. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for general business/commerce. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,769 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $46,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #24 spot for general business/commerce value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,530. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Defiance College landed the #25 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Defiance, Defiance College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,320. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Defiance College earn a median of $31,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Defiance College admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.