Business/Managerial Economics Colleges Under $20,000

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers remarkable value for business students with a net cost of just $2,978 annually and graduates earning $43,426 within years of completion. The stark contrast between lowest and highest earners among these affordable programs spans from $31,133 to $49,683, reflecting different regional economic conditions and program focus areas. Northern Kentucky University graduates command the highest salaries at $49,683, nearly matching the earnings premium typically associated with far more expensive programs. Business and managerial economics students benefit from growing demand across the Midwest and Northeast, where manufacturing companies increasingly seek data-driven decision makers to optimize supply chains and analyze market trends. Public institutions dominate this affordable market, with net costs ranging from under $3,000 to approximately $8,300. Ohio University operates five regional campuses offering business programs, though graduation rates vary significantly from 12% to 20% depending on location and student support services available.

Programs

$2,978 – $13,085

Net Price Range

$41,300

Avg. Program Earnings

47.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Business/Managerial Economics Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, New York	$2,978	$7,464	72.1%	49.5%
2	Texas A & M International University Laredo, Texas	$3,061	$7,846	48.9%	47.9%
3	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, Ohio	$4,503	$6,178	20.0%
4	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328	$6,178	19.3%
5	CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, New York	$5,881	$7,352	22.3%	87.7%
6	California State University-San Bernardino San Bernardino, California	$5,918	$7,675	54.7%	91.1%
7	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971	$6,178	17.7%
8	Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, Georgia	$6,061	$3,195	29.1%	67.0%
9	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133	$6,178	13.7%
10	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483	$6,178	12.1%
11	University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras San Juan, Puerto Rico	$6,507	$5,324	52.5%	51.6%
12	Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, Kentucky	$7,168	$10,896	48.3%	86.0%
13	Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus San Juan, Puerto Rico	$7,559	$6,920	31.1%
14	University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida	$8,155	$6,360	61.8%	48.0%
15	Marshall University Huntington, West Virginia	$8,327	$8,942	48.7%	96.9%
16	California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, California	$8,931	$7,008	69.9%	40.0%
17	Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro San Juan, Puerto Rico	$8,964	$5,580	31.6%	46.8%
18	The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas	$9,144	$10,904	43.0%	94.7%
19	Tennessee State University Nashville, Tennessee	$10,026	$8,568	33.0%
20	University of South Florida Tampa, Florida	$10,043	$6,410	74.6%	43.9%
21	University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina	$10,170	$7,593	57.9%	91.9%
22	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
23	University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida	$10,353	$6,389	68.2%	70.5%
24	University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida	$10,650	$6,368	75.1%	41.0%
25	Weber State University Ogden, Utah	$10,722	$6,391	43.0%
26	The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, Texas	$10,726	$9,744	45.9%	99.9%
27	Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, Kentucky	$10,916	$11,436	53.7%	97.0%
28	University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama	$11,024	$11,990	54.0%	95.7%
29	The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	$11,234	$8,991	51.2%	86.9%
30	Texas A & M University-Commerce Commerce, Texas	$11,268	$10,026	45.9%	86.5%
31	Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia	$11,298	$6,007	41.7%	89.5%
32	Lamar University Beaumont, Texas	$11,429	$8,690	37.2%	83.7%
33	Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois	$11,592	$14,952	44.8%	75.0%
34	Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, Georgia	$11,609	$5,392	45.2%	43.1%
35	Missouri Southern State University Joplin, Missouri	$11,653	$8,400	38.3%	99.5%
36	University of Wyoming Laramie, Wyoming	$11,779	$6,938	59.8%	96.0%
37	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
38	Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas	$11,882	$10,310	41.3%	92.4%
39	Arkansas Tech University Russellville, Arkansas	$12,171	$8,508	48.7%	94.4%
40	Louisiana Tech University Ruston, Louisiana	$12,209	$10,125	57.6%	62.4%
41	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
42	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, Nebraska	$12,791	$8,370	47.5%	85.9%
43	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
44	University of California-Irvine Irvine, California	$12,840	$14,237	86.0%	21.2%
45	Angelo State University San Angelo, Texas	$12,915	$8,319	40.7%	79.1%
46	Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado	$12,948	$9,401	38.0%	98.8%
47	Saint Peter's University Jersey City, New Jersey	$12,973	$41,054	63.1%	88.8%
48	West Virginia University Morgantown, West Virginia	$12,997	$9,648	61.2%	88.4%
49	Washburn University Topeka, Kansas	$13,046	$9,578	52.6%
50	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap in graduation rates among these affordable business programs?

Graduation rates span from 12.1% at Ohio University-Chillicothe to 72.1% at CUNY Baruch College, largely reflecting institutional resources and student demographics. Regional campus programs often serve working adults and commuter students who face different completion challenges than traditional residential students. Schools with higher graduation rates typically offer more full student support services and have established pathways for degree completion. The most successful programs balance affordability with adequate academic and financial support systems.

How do earnings compare between the lowest-cost and mid-range affordable programs?

CUNY Baruch College, despite having the lowest net cost at $2,978, produces graduates earning $43,426 annually. Northern Kentucky University charges $7,168 net cost but delivers the highest earnings at $49,683 for graduates. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College sits in the middle with $6,061 net cost and $32,569 in earnings, reflecting its rural Georgia location and agricultural business focus. The data suggests that strategic program selection can maximize both affordability and earning potential.

Does geographic location significantly impact both costs and career outcomes?

Texas A&M International University in Laredo demonstrates how border proximity creates unique opportunities, with a net cost of $3,061 and strong regional employer connections. Ohio's multiple campus locations show consistent in-state tuition at $6,178 but varying graduation rates based on local economic conditions and campus resources. Northeast programs like CUNY schools benefit from proximity to financial services and corporate headquarters, often translating to higher graduate earnings despite urban living costs.

What acceptance rates suggest about admission competitiveness for business programs?

Acceptance rates range from 47.88% at Texas A&M International to 96.88% at Marshall University, indicating varying selectivity levels. CUNY Baruch maintains moderate selectivity at 49.53% while delivering strong value and outcomes. Marshall University's high acceptance rate of 96.88% paired with reasonable costs makes it accessible for students seeking business education in West Virginia. Most programs balance accessibility with academic standards, ensuring varied student populations can pursue business careers.

Is debt load manageable across these affordable business programs?

Student debt levels vary considerably, from $13,666 at CUNY Baruch College to $21,000 across Ohio University campuses. Universidad Ana G. Mendez maintains moderate debt at $15,694 while serving Puerto Rican students with specialized program offerings. The debt-to-earnings ratios remain favorable across most programs, with graduates typically earning enough to manage payments comfortably. Schools with the lowest net costs often correspond to the most manageable debt loads upon graduation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.