2026 Best Value General Business Commerce Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Business Commerce doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 948 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value General Business Commerce Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
University Of Maryland University College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value General Business Commerce doctoral degree schools in the United States. Based in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. The median General Business Commerce program debt is $23,276. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,287. Set against $23,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full University Of Maryland University College profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center came in at #2 on this year's best-value General Business Commerce ranking in the United States. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Students borrow a median of $14,500 to complete their General Business Commerce program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,991 ten years after entry. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Graduate School And University Center admits about 68% of applicants. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Out of the 948 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #3 spot. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. The median General Business Commerce program debt is $21,813. Median earnings reach $73,792 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values in the United States. University Of North Texas is a public school based in Denton, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. The median General Business Commerce program debt is $18,050. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of North Texas
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #5 place in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical General Business Commerce student debt is $23,393. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bloomington, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. The median General Business Commerce program debt is $19,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
Emory University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Business Commerce schools. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school based in Atlanta, GA. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Emory University General Business Commerce students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Median earnings reach $80,137 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. About 11% of those who apply are admitted. More on Emory University
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical General Business Commerce student debt is $13,516. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $143,372. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
University Of Missouri Columbia offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. University Of Missouri Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, MO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical General Business Commerce student debt is $21,500. University Of Missouri Columbia alumni report median earnings of $63,403 a decade after entry. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Missouri Columbia report
University Of Kansas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Business Commerce schools. This public school is set in Lawrence, KS. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. University Of Kansas General Business Commerce students take on a median of $24,480 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. Read the full report on University Of Kansas
University Of Chicago offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $91,885 ten years after entry. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago has an acceptance rate of 4%. See the full University Of Chicago profile
Georgia State University placed #13 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Georgia State University is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Georgia State University alumni report median earnings of $47,384 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University has an acceptance rate of 55%. More on Georgia State University
University Of Maryland College Park offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical General Business Commerce student debt is $20,836. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,860. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Drexel University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Drexel University General Business Commerce students take on a median of $28,838 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,648. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Drexel University has an acceptance rate of 79%. More on Drexel University
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Business Commerce schools. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete their General Business Commerce program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,675 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Florida State University
Pace University New York offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in New York, NY, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,510. Typical General Business Commerce student debt is $31,000. Pace University New York alumni report median earnings of $70,378 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Pace University New York admits about 76% of applicants. See the full Pace University New York profile
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #18 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Set in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. The median General Business Commerce program debt is $23,500. Virginia Commonwealth University alumni report median earnings of $58,128 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
University Of Kentucky landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Kentucky is a public school based in Lexington, KY. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. The median General Business Commerce program debt is $23,055. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Kentucky
University Of Rhode Island offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Located in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. University Of Rhode Island General Business Commerce students take on a median of $23,432 in debt. University Of Rhode Island alumni report median earnings of $69,743 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
University Of Denver placed #21 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Set in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. University Of Denver General Business Commerce students take on a median of $21,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,155. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Denver profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,268 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Tulane University Of Louisiana has an acceptance rate of 14%. More on Tulane University Of Louisiana
Cascadia Community College placed #22 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Read more about Cascadia Community College
Louisburg College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Louisburg College report
Montgomery County Community College placed #24 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Get the full Montgomery County Community College report
New Mexico State University Grants came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about New Mexico State University Grants
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Business Commerce Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
North Greenville University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on North Greenville University
Quinsigamond Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about Quinsigamond Community College
Northeastern Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Northeastern Technical College report
Saint Josephs College Of Maine came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Saint Josephs College Of Maine report
College Of The Ozarks came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full College Of The Ozarks report
Lamar State College Orange came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Lamar State College Orange profile
Christian Brothers University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Christian Brothers University
Coastal Carolina University placed #33 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. See the full Coastal Carolina University profile
Community College Of Beaver County came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Community College Of Beaver County
Cosumnes River College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Cosumnes River College report
Southwest Collegiate Institute For The Deaf came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Southwest Collegiate Institute For The Deaf report
William Jewell College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full William Jewell College profile
Baker University
Baker University came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Baker University
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Crown College
Crown College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Crown College
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
St Francis College placed #42 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Get the full St Francis College report
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Business Commerce schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Northern Oklahoma College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. More on Northern Oklahoma College
San Jacinto Community College placed #45 among the best-value General Business Commerce schools in the United States. Read more about San Jacinto Community College
Strayer University Global Region came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. More on Strayer University Global Region
Cecil College
Cecil College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Cecil College
Central State University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. More on Central State University
Cuny Hunter College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Business Commerce schools. Read the full report on Cuny Hunter College
Green River Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read more about Green River Community College
Related General Business Commerce Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value General Business Commerce Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Business Commerce Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Business Commerce Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Business Commerce Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Business Commerce Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Business Commerce Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Business Commerce Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 948 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).