2027 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 228 schools to find the best return on investment for business, management & marketing students.
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2027 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business, management & marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
For return on investment in business, management & marketing, no school beat Metropolitan Community College Area this year. 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. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,116. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $43,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $33,898. That is a strong return on a $7,902 median debt.
Williston State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #3 spot this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,114. Students borrow a median of $11,625 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $36,138. That is a strong return on a $11,625 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes St Charles Community College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $12,606. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,920 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $34,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #6 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #7 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Mid Plains Community College earned the #8 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,596 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $33,906 early in their careers. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #9 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Students borrow a median of $11,362 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverland Community College came in at #10 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $14,913. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $49,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College earned the #11 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $10,498 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $24,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #12 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $14,297. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $36,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #13 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,530 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $34,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #14 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $18,295. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,295 median debt.
Bismarck State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $15,452 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $100,575 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $13,171 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $38,554. Set against $13,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #17 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $34,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #18 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Crowder College landed the #19 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $7,925 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $25,875. Set against $7,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Ozarks ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. Students from in state pay about $22,360 in tuition and fees. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $39,081 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Moberly Area Community College landed the #21 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Moberly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $8,640 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,507 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College earned the #22 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Students borrow a median of $16,050 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $37,385 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #23 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,577 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $45,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
South Central College landed the #24 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $13,139. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $42,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College landed the #25 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Students borrow a median of $18,776 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $48,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 228 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 228 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.