2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Master’s Degree Schools
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 948 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Leading the list is Northern Kentucky University, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in the United States. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $77,876. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Northwest earned it the #2 place for general business/commerce. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,822 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Northwest earn a median of $80,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,572 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $45,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Kokomo one of the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,744 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $43,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,744 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Indiana University South Bend, which ranked #5. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $93,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Indiana University Southeast earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Indiana University Southeast is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of New Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,062 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,862. That is a strong return on a $22,062 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,896. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $79,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $81,168 early in their careers. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Murray State University landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $18,200 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $65,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $40,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,252. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $117,414. Set against $23,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Florida earned the #12 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $18,523. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $58,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Marshall University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $60,649. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in general business/commerce this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $27,000. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Youngstown State University landed the #15 spot for general business/commerce value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,373 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $99,960 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,538. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $87,974 early in their careers. Set against $21,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Morehead State University came in at #17 for value in general business/commerce this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,903 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $70,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,903 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah State University earned the #18 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $31,576. General Business/commerce graduates of Savannah State University earn a median of $51,068 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne landed the #19 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public school located in the city of Fort Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,764 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $99,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Cameron University earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,967. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $74,100. Set against $23,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Virginia University landed the #21 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,432. General Business/commerce graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $82,910 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,432 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #22 for value in general business/commerce this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $125,488. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Georgia ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,439. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $64,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Texas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,050 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $45,122 early in their careers. Set against $18,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general business/commerce this year:
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 80 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.
