2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Southeast Region

[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 137 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 the Southeast Region
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 Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in general business/commerce in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned it the #2 place for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,476, with out-of-state students paying around $9,424. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,744. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $33,536. That is a strong return on a $14,744 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,139. General Business/commerce graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Itawamba Community College, which ranked #4. Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fulton. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,820 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $4,840 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $24,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,100 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $36,679 early in their careers. Set against $26,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Louisiana State University Shreveport landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public school located in the city of Shreveport. In-state tuition and fees average $7,327. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Arkansas Community College placed #7 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,238. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,313. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,888. That is a strong return on a $11,313 median debt.
Coahoma Community College landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Clarksdale, Coahoma Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,490 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Coahoma Community College earn a median of $29,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $63,265 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Holmes Community College landed the #11 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,931 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $27,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,931 median debt.
York Technical College landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $33,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College placed #13 among the best values for general business/commerce. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College landed the #15 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $7,391 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $31,941. Set against $7,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University earned the #16 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $25,250. General Business/commerce graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $60,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #17 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,212. General Business/commerce graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Southern Union State Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Wadley, Southern Union State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $8,874 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,555 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Southern Union State Community College earn a median of $44,385 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,555 median debt.
Mid South Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,126, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,857 ten years after entry.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,572 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,572 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Northeastern College earned the #21 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Blytheville, Arkansas Northeastern College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,570, compared with $4,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $7,944. General Business/commerce graduates of Arkansas Northeastern College earn a median of $47,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earned the #22 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, compared with $8,354 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida placed #23 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,896 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $62,337 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Murray State University came in at #24 for value in general business/commerce this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,200 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $51,237 early in their careers. Set against $18,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earned the #25 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Potomac State College Of West Virginia University is a small public school located in the town of Keyser. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,200. Students borrow a median of $19,858 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Potomac State College Of West Virginia University earn a median of $42,670 early in their careers. Set against $19,858 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:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 137 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.