by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general business/commerce schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is College Of The Ozarks, our #1 best value for general business/commerce in Missouri. 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. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from College Of The Ozarks generally make around $37,944. The acceptance rate is 12%.
A rank of #2 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Missouri State University West Plains, which ranked #3. Set in the town of West Plains, Missouri State University West Plains is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,106. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in general business/commerce will find it at Missouri Southern State University, which ranked #4. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $21,853 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $71,045. Set against $21,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. 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. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,538. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $68,451. Set against $21,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
North Central Missouri College earned the #7 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $16,685 in student loans. 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.
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #8 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,500. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $22,732. General Business/commerce graduates of Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies earn a median of $39,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Avila University came in at #9 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,200 in tuition and fees. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $47,530. That is a strong return on a $32,750 median debt. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #10 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $59,283. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,500. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $71,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #13 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $74,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Columbia College Missouri landed the #14 spot for general business/commerce value this year. Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,276 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $27,999. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Columbia College Missouri generally make around $53,715. Set against $27,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,620. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $22,732 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $39,435. Set against $22,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Students borrow a median of $26,586 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $65,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.