2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the The Plains States 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business/commerce, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #2 place for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,913. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,194. That is a strong return on a $14,913 median debt.
Northeast Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $9,988. General Business/commerce graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $35,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #4 spot this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
College Of The Ozarks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. General Business/commerce graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
South Central College came in at #6 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $46,447. Set against $13,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College earned the #8 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $36,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Jefferson College placed #9 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
Missouri State University West Plains ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,106. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $11,250. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Missouri State University West Plains generally make around $42,523. That is a strong return on a $11,250 median debt.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College landed the #11 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College generally make around $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College placed #12 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $19,750. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $40,489. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri Southern State University earned the #13 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Students borrow a median of $20,737 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $44,262. Set against $20,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,241. General Business/commerce graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #15 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Students borrow a median of $21,122 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,122 median debt.
Normandale Community College placed #16 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. That is a strong return on a $20,700 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,853. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $71,045. That is a strong return on a $21,853 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $59,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Inver Hills Community College came in at #19 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Inver Grove Heights, Inver Hills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,146. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $12,625. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $52,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $22,454. General Business/commerce graduates of Pine Technical College earn a median of $44,905 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #21 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $45,368. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #22 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,538 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $68,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #23 among the best values for general business/commerce. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Missouri College placed #24 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, with out-of-state students paying around $8,820. Students borrow a median of $16,685 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from North Central Missouri College generally make around $40,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #25 among the best values for general business/commerce. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $24,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $43,164. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business/commerce value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
