2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 292 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 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
Metropolitan Community College Area tops our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing 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. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,116 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $43,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $4,800. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $7,902 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $33,898. Set against $7,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $4,770. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,920 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $34,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,920 median debt.
Crowder College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,925 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $25,875 early in their careers. Set against $7,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in business, management & marketing will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,340 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $35,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williston State College came in at #6 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Williston State College is a small public school located in the town of Williston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $11,625. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $36,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Charles Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of St Charles Community College earn a median of $47,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Western Nebraska Community College placed #8 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #9 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,297 median debt.
Mid Plains Community College landed the #10 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North Platte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,596 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $33,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $11,000. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $34,419 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #12 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,498. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $24,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $14,530. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $34,597 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,530 median debt.
Colby Community College landed the #14 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Colby Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Colby. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, compared with $5,830 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,796 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Colby Community College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Set against $14,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Students borrow a median of $13,171 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $38,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,171 median debt.
Bismarck State College placed #16 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,452 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $100,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,061. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $21,210. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $47,548. That is a strong return on a $21,210 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College placed #18 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Central Community College landed the #19 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Students borrow a median of $18,295 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moberly Area Community College came in at #20 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,640. 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.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #21 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College came in at #22 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Century College generally make around $46,881. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.
Riverland Community College placed #23 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,913 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $16,050. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $37,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Garden City Community College earned the #25 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the town of Garden City, Garden City Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,690, compared with $4,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $11,084. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Garden City Community College earn a median of $35,476 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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 292 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 169 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.
