by our College Data Analytics Team
[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for business, management & marketing students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the business, management & marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in business, management & marketing, no school beat Williston State College this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,114. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,625 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $36,138. Set against $11,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in business, management & marketing will find it at United Tribes Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Bismarck, United Tribes Technical College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,292 ten years after entry.
Bismarck State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business, management & marketing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bismarck, Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $15,452. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $100,575. Set against $15,452 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State College Of Science came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,973. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,762 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of North Dakota State College Of Science earn a median of $31,594 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,762 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mayville State University earned it the #5 place for business, management & marketing. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $26,680 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $44,934. That is a strong return on a $26,680 median debt.
Valley City State University came in at #6 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $47,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Minot State University earned the #7 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $23,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $46,230. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Region State College placed #8 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the town of Devils Lake, Lake Region State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,520. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $15,784. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of $48,331 early in their careers. Set against $15,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University landed the #9 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,037 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $50,825. That is a strong return on a $28,037 median debt. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $24,028 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $55,004. That is a strong return on a $24,028 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Mary ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,356. Students borrow a median of $27,654 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,591. That is a strong return on a $27,654 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Dakota placed #12 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $23,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $70,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Jamestown College earned the #13 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Jamestown College earn a median of $47,850 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
