2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in Kentucky
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 Kentucky. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $30,750. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $63,265. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $18,200. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $51,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $41,502. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of The Cumberlands is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,219. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,242. Set against $21,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Morehead State University one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. 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 $54,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,903 median debt. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky placed #6 among the best values for general business/commerce. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $23,055. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $60,890. That is a strong return on a $23,055 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Georgetown College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Georgetown, Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $26,938. General Business/commerce graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $43,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,938 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brescia University landed the #8 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,550. Students borrow a median of $33,995 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $37,406. That is a strong return on a $33,995 median debt. Brescia University admits about 35% of applicants.
University Of Louisville landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Students from in state pay about $13,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,910. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $76,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Campbellsville University earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,675 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $48,624 early in their careers. Set against $24,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Transylvania University placed #11 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,870 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $26,044 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Transylvania University generally make around $31,614. Set against $26,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midway College placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Midway, Midway College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Midway College generally make around $38,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midway College admits about 95% of applicants.
Spalding University landed the #13 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,000. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Spalding University earn a median of $54,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Sullivan University landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $43,625 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $56,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kentucky Wesleyan College earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,673. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Kentucky Wesleyan College earn a median of $41,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business/commerce education at a price that pays off.
