2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the New England Region

[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general business/commerce students.
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2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the New England Region
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 Essex Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $44,682 early in their careers. Set against $10,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,940. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,680. Set against $13,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,490 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $42,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,490 median debt.
Greenfield Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,269. General Business/commerce graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. Set against $12,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $42,825. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $7,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $19,969. That is a strong return on a $7,200 median debt.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Manchester, University Of New Hampshire At Manchester is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,838, while out-of-state students pay about $36,418. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $57,378. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Vermont earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Community College Of Vermont generally make around $37,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Westfield State University came in at #10 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,862. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Western Connecticut State University landed the #11 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Danbury, Western Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,401, with out-of-state students paying around $16,901. Students borrow a median of $25,332 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,559. Set against $25,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $41,714. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Post University came in at #13 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $71,087. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #14 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $24,973 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $59,287. Set against $24,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $50,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $80,897. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Colby Sawyer College came in at #17 for value in general business/commerce this year. Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New London. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,832 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $54,655. That is a strong return on a $26,832 median debt. Colby Sawyer College admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,760. Students borrow a median of $28,601 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $56,368. Set against $28,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Goodwin College earned the #19 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Goodwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of East Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,188. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $35,611 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $52,724. That is a strong return on a $35,611 median debt.
Nichols College placed #20 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of Dudley, Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,705. Students borrow a median of $25,356 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,801. Set against $25,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Western New England University landed the #21 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,820. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,520 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Western New England University earn a median of $70,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
Northeastern University placed #22 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $95,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,000. General Business/commerce graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $55,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Saint Anselm College earned the #24 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Manchester, Saint Anselm College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,920. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $60,054. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Saint Anselm College admits about 78% of applicants.
Champlain College placed #25 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $58,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general business/commerce:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.