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Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
It's not easy to decide which business program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Business Degree Central has created the <nil> to help you in your search for the best school for you.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Business Master's Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found La Salle University to be the best value school for business students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 137 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at La Salle are $1,455 a year.
Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at La Salle. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cabrini University. It ranked #2 on our list. Radnor, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Cabrini University are $2,318 per year.
Online graduate courses are available at Cabrini University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 1,081 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s value ranking, University of Jamestown landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Jamestown, North Dakota, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 22 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
UJ graduate students pay an average of $4,106 in tuition and fees each year.
UJ does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 1,081 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s value ranking, University of Management and Technology landed the # 4 spot on the list. University of Management and Technology is a small private for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 191 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at University of Management and Technology are $7,110 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at University of Management and Technology. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Management and Technology excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our list.
The excellent master’s degree programs at Rasmussen University - Minnesota helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value business schools in the United States. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a small private for-profit school situated in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 12 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Rasmussen University - Minnesota are $5,615 per year.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Rasmussen University - Minnesota excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our list.
Rasmussen University - North Dakota did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a private for-profit institution located in Fargo, North Dakota. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 3 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Rasmussen University - North Dakota are $5,615 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, Rasmussen University - North Dakota is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rasmussen University - North Dakota also is in the top 10% of our ranking.
Rasmussen University - Kansas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Topeka, Kansas is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.
Rasmussen University - Kansas graduate students pay an average of $5,615 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, Rasmussen University - Kansas is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Rasmussen University - Kansas also is in the top 15% of our ranking.
Rasmussen University - Illinois did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Rasmussen University - Illinois is a small private for-profit school located in Rockford, Illinois that handed out 4 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Rasmussen University - Illinois are $5,615 a year.
Since the graduate programs at Rasmussen University - Illinois are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Rasmussen University - Illinois also claimed a spot on our list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Columbia Southern University landed the #9 spot in the rankings for the best value master’s degree business programs. Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in Orange Beach, Alabama that handed out 1,241 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Columbia Southern University graduate students pay an average of $4,035 in tuition and fees each year.
Since the graduate programs at Columbia Southern University are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #10 spot in the rankings for the best value master’s degree business programs. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 289 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at BYU are $7,700 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since BYU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU also is in the top 5% of our ranking.
Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. This medium-sized private for-profit school is located in Ocala, Florida, and it awarded 8 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Rasmussen University - Florida are $5,615 per year.
Since the graduate programs at Rasmussen University - Florida are primarily online, it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Dickinson State University landed the #12 spot in the rankings for the best value master’s degree business programs. Located in Dickinson, North Dakota, the small public school handed out 5 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
DSU graduate students pay an average of $6,576 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DSU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 98% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #13, University of the Cumberlands did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their master’s degree. Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 409 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Cumberlands are $4,582 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Cumberlands does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Mercedita, Puerto Rico. It awarded 50 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce are $3,312 per year.
Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Full Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Report
With a ranking of #15, Charleston Southern University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their master’s degree. Located in Charleston, South Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at CSU are $5,085 per year.
CSU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
Ashland University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 251 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Ashland are $6,972 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Ashland does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.
Western Governors University ranked #17 on this year’s list. WGU is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,838 master’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at WGU are $7,790 per year.
Since the graduate programs at WGU are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
In addition to its great value ranking, WGU is in the top 20% of all schools on our list.
Nebraska Wesleyan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. NWU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at NWU are $7,580 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at NWU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
McDaniel College landed the #19 spot in the rankings for the best value master’s degree business programs. Located in Westminster, Maryland, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
McDaniel graduate students pay an average of $9,568 in tuition and fees each year.
McDaniel is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, McDaniel also is in the top 15% of our ranking.
Park University ranked #19 on this year’s list. Parkville, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 323 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Park University are $6,435 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Park University. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Culver - Stockton College landed the #21 spot in the rankings for the best value master’s degree business programs. This very small private not-for-profit school is located in Canton, Missouri, and it awarded 19 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Culver - Stockton are $6,200 per year.
Since the graduate programs at Culver - Stockton are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
With a ranking of #22, Wittenberg University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for business students working on their master’s degree. Wittenberg is located in Springfield, Ohio and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 master’s degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Wittenberg are $8,352 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Wittenberg. In 2019-2020 about 21% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Scranton landed the #23 spot in the rankings for the best value master’s degree business programs. Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 258 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at University of Scranton are $11,630 per year.
One thing to take note of is that University of Scranton does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, University of Scranton also is in the top 10% of our ranking.
Drake University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for business students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.
Drake graduate students pay an average of $11,988 in tuition and fees each year.
Drake does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 80% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Drake also did well on our list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Colorado State University - Global Campus ranked #24 on this year’s list. Located in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 948 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Colorado State University - Global Campus are $9,000 a year.
Since the graduate programs at Colorado State University - Global Campus are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
In addition to its great value ranking, Colorado State University - Global Campus is in the top 20% of all schools on our list.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Master's Degree Schools in the United States
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Rest of the Top Value Business Master's Degree Schools in the United States
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best business schools ranking:
More Nationwide Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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