2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the The Plains States Region
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 97 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 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
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business/commerce, landing the #3 spot this year. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $9,988 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #5 makes Riverland Community College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,297 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $14,913. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $14,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,214. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Century College earn a median of $40,489 early in their careers. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson College earned the #7 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $13,664. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,146 in tuition and fees. 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.
Pine Technical College landed the #9 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the rural area of Pine City, Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,738. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,454 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Pine Technical College generally make around $44,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College earned the #10 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $36,062. Set against $13,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College came in at #11 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,029. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $44,387. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Ridgewater College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. In-state tuition and fees average $6,121. Students borrow a median of $15,556 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $42,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,122 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. Set against $21,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Missouri State University West Plains ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Plains. In-state tuition and fees average $5,936, with out-of-state students paying around $8,106. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Missouri State University West Plains earn a median of $42,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Missouri College came in at #15 for value in general business/commerce this year. North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trenton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,370, compared with $8,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,685 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of North Central Missouri College earn a median of $40,934 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #16 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $21,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $68,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #17 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #18 for value in general business/commerce this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,737 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $44,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Anoka Ramsey Community College placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Coon Rapids, Anoka Ramsey Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,682. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,962. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Normandale Community College placed #20 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Bloomington, Normandale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,329 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,700 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Normandale Community College earn a median of $53,871 early in their careers. Set against $20,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #21 position for value in general business/commerce this year. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,853. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $71,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #22 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $6,326 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,650 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $38,179 early in their careers. Set against $17,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #23 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
Barton County Community College placed #24 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Barton County Community College earn a median of $44,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Mineral Area College earned the #25 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Park Hills, Mineral Area College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,570. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Mineral Area College generally make around $46,535. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
