2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business, management & marketing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 404 schools to find the best return on investment for business, management & marketing students.
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2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business, management & marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Leading the list is Moraine Valley Community College, our #1 best value for business, management & marketing in the Great Lakes Region. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $11,149. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $6,388 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $42,502 early in their careers. Set against $6,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,691 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $41,275 early in their careers. Set against $19,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,738 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $38,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #6 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $45,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $39,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #8 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $33,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College placed #9 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $14,313. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $37,857 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,313 median debt.
Elgin Community College came in at #10 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Lorain County Community College came in at #11 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,815 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $38,120. That is a strong return on a $10,815 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #12 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,227 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $46,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College earned the #13 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,799, while out-of-state students pay about $6,501. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,391 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $33,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #14 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,929 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $36,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,093 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,236 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County placed #17 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College landed the #18 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Harper College landed the #19 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $56,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College landed the #20 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,503 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $43,422. Set against $9,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $13,812 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $29,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marion Technical College landed the #22 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $8,897 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $44,089 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,897 median debt.
Triton College earned the #23 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $12,994. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lansing Community College placed #24 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $17,248 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $43,026 early in their careers. Set against $17,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakton Community College came in at #25 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s business, management & marketing 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 · 404 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 244 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.
