College is not cheap! Today’s college students spend an excess of $500,000 just to earn a single bachelor’s degree. If you’re not careful enough with your decisions, you will find yourself buried in an impossible amount of debt.

Many students today are seeking business degrees. According to official Labpr Statistics data, business graduates earn an average of $80,920 per year, almost twice the average yearly salary for all occupations.

However, not all business degrees lead to high-paying jobs. Plus, not all schools offer good value for your money. You need to carefully weigh your options and prioritize high ROI business degrees at reputable business schools.

This article is all about helping you make a smart choice. We’ll walk through what ROI really means for business degrees, highlight some of the best options that won’t break the bank, and shout out schools offering the most ROI.

Related:

• Online Business Degrees Offering Great Value
• Best Undergraduate Business Schools
• Top 10 Cheap Online Business Degree Programs
• Best Online Business Schools
• Is Business Administration a Hard Major?

What Is ROI in Higher Education?

You’ll often hear people talk about something called “ROI” when it comes to college—that stands for return on investment. It basically means: Is the degree worth the money you spend on it? If the extra money you make over your lifetime is more than what you paid for school, then you’ve got a good ROI.

Here’s the basic formula for calculating ROI:

ROI = (Average salary after graduation – Tuition costs) / Tuition costs

Why is this important? Because some degrees can cost a fortune and leave you earning peanuts. Some affordable business degree programs cost way less and still open doors to well-paying careers.

If you’re aiming to get the most out of your education without going broke, choosing high ROI business degrees is the way to go.

Criteria for Ranking Degrees with High ROI and Low Tuition

So, how did we come up with the list of high ROI business degrees? We looked at several key factors:

• Median salary after graduation – How much grads are making, on average
• Tuition costs – Both in-state and out-of-state tuition
• Employment rates – Are grads finding jobs in their field?
• Program accreditation – Schools with legit business programs (like AACSB-accredited)
• Flexibility – Can you study online? Part-time? While working?

Our focus was on ranking the best value business degrees—solid job outcomes at a price that makes sense.

Top Business Degrees with High ROI and Low Tuition

Finally, here’s the list of the top high ROI business degrees.

1. Bachelor’s in Accounting

• Why it’s a great pick: Accounting is like the Swiss Army knife of business degrees. Every company needs accountants—big or small. Plus, it’s a great stepping stone if you want to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), which can seriously boost your salary.
• Median Salary: Around $60,000–$75,000 right after graduation (more if you become a CPA)

2. Bachelor’s in Finance

• Why it’s a great pick: Finance is among the best business degrees with a high return on investment. Whether it’s investment banking, financial planning, or corporate finance, this degree is versatile and in demand.
• Median Salary: $65,000–$80,000

3. Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems (MIS)

• Why it’s a great pick: MIS blends business and technology—two worlds that companies can’t live without. You’ll be the bridge between IT and leadership, making this a high-demand role across industries.
• Median Salary: $70,000–$90,000

4. Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management

• Why it’s a great pick: Supply chain professionals are the unsung heroes of global commerce. As online shopping and global logistics expand, so does the demand for skilled supply chain managers. These are among the top inexpensive business degree options.
• Median Salary: $60,000–$85,000

5. Bachelor’s in Marketing

• Why it’s a great pick: Marketing majors are the storytellers of the business world. With the explosion of digital marketing, data analytics, and social media, the opportunities are more diverse than ever.
• Median Salary: $55,000–$70,000

6. Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management

• Why it’s a great pick: HR is essential to every organization—from hiring to benefits to workplace culture. It’s a stable field with solid growth and an increasing focus on employee experience.
• Median Salary: $55,000–$70,000

7. Bachelor’s in Business Administration (General)

• Why it’s a great pick: As one of the top business degrees for ROI, this degree gives you a broad foundation in business—covering everything from management to marketing. It’s ideal for students who want flexibility in their career path.
• Median Salary: $50,000–$70,000

8. Bachelor’s in Entrepreneurship

• Why it’s a great pick: If you’ve ever dreamed of launching your own business, this degree teaches you how to do it. As one of the top budget-friendly business degrees, you’ll learn startup strategy, funding, and innovation—skills that also apply to leadership roles in existing companies.
• Median Salary: Varies widely (can be very high for successful ventures)

Best Value Schools for Business Degrees

Here are the top-value schools where you can look for in-person and online business degrees with high ROI:

University of Florida

One of the best-recognized low tuition business schools, it offers an in-demand accounting program and a clear path to higher earnings = high ROI.

• Average Tuition Fee: $6,380 per year (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $23,988
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 2.7:1
• Placement Rate: Over 90% for business grads

CUNY Baruch College

Offering great value, especially for in-state students, Baruch College is located in the heart of NYC. It emphasizes strong employer connections.

• Average Tuition Fee: $7,000–$9,000 per year (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $13,000
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 5.4:1
• Placement Rate: Around 88% within six months

Brigham Young University – Provo

Featuring low tuition (especially for LDS members), BYU produces graduates who attract and are recruited by top firms.

• Average Tuition Fee: $6,000–$8,000 per year (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $12,500
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 5.2:1
• Placement Rate: 90–95% for business majors

University of Texas at Austin

A top-tier business school, UT Austin boasts high job placement rates and a strong tech-business curriculum.

• Average Tuition Fee: $11,448 (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $18,876
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 4.0:1
• Placement Rate: Over 93% at graduation

Arizona State University

ASU features one of the top-ranked supply chain programs while offering affordable tuition and strong industry ties.

• Average Tuition Fee: $10,000–$12,000 per year (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $17,000
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 5.0:1
• Placement Rate: About 87%

University of Georgia

Featuring a well-rounded marketing program, UGA offers flexible learning options and excellent internship pipelines.

• Average Tuition Fee: $11,180 (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $29,799
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 1.8:1
• Placement Rate: 90%+ within six months

Florida International University (FIU)

FIU offers an AACSB-accredited online HR program with affordable tuition and a focus on real-world skills.

• Average Tuition Fee: $6,000–$8,000 per year (in-state)
• Average Student Loan Debt: $15,000
• Salary-to-Debt Ratio: 4.7:1

Online vs. On-Campus Business Degrees

Let’s talk about online degrees for a second. Are they worth it?

Short answer: Absolutely, especially if you’re looking to save money and work while you study.

Online Degrees Pros:

• Usually cheaper than on-campus
• More flexibility (great for working adults or parents)
• Still accredited and respected

However, if you’re looking for a traditional college experience—with campus events, in-person networking, and spontaneous study sessions—then on-campus might be a better fit.

That said, many well-known schools—like Arizona State, the University of Florida, and Indiana University—offer cost-effective business education that is identical in curriculum to their on-campus programs. In fact, many employers won’t even know (or care) whether you studied online or in person as long as your degree comes from an accredited university.

Tips for Maximizing ROI on a Business Degree

Here are a few quick tips to stretch your dollar and boost your return:

• Apply for scholarships and grants: Free money = better ROI.
• Work part-time or get internships: Real-world experience helps you land higher-paying jobs.
• Attend in-state public universities: Huge cost savings.
• Start at a community college: You can transfer to a four-year program thereafter.
• Use career services: They help with resumes, internships, and job placement.
• Network: Relationships can open doors faster than grades.

Conclusion

A business degree can open doors to amazing opportunities—but only if you pick the right one. Whether it’s accounting, finance, MIS, or general business, there are plenty of smart, budget-friendly options out there. Use ROI as a tool—not just to choose your degree, but to shape your future.

Now that you’ve got the info, it’s time to start researching. Compare programs, crunch some numbers, and pick the business path that gives you the biggest return on your investment—both financially and personally.

Look for schools with strong job placement rates, reasonable tuition, and solid alumni networks. Don’t overlook online options if flexibility and affordability are top priorities for you.