by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 145 U.S. colleges awarded 11,915 degrees and certificates in Operations Management. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 70% of graduates. College Factual ranks 82 schools in its 2027 Best Operations Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $63,256 one year after completing, rising to $79,232 after four years.
A major in Operations Management covers Operations Management And Supervision. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Manage And Direct The Physical And/or Technical Functions Of A Firm Or Organization, Particularly Those Relating To Development, Production, And Manufacturing. Includes Instruction In Principles Of General Management, Manufacturing And Production Systems, Plant Management, Equipment Maintenance Management, Production Control, Industrial Labor Relations And Skilled Trades Supervision, Strategic Manufacturing Policy, Systems Analysis, Productivity Analysis And Cost Control, And Materials Planning. Examples: [Maintenance Management], [Production Management].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., operations management is a popular field of study, with 11,915 degrees awarded annually. 145 colleges award operations management degrees, an average of 82 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 3,954.
By level, the 11,915 awards include 73 certificates, 242 associate degrees, 3,208 bachelor’s degrees, 8,385 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 43% of operations management degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,072 of 11,915). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (4,164) and White (3,212), and international students earned 2,368.
College Factual ranks 82 schools in its 2027 Best Operations Management Schools ranking, including 23 for associate degrees, 58 for bachelor’s degrees and 48 for master’s degrees. It also ranks operations management schools within 33 states. In all, 145 colleges offer operations management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Operations Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common operations management credential is the master’s degree: 8,385 of the 11,915 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to operations management call most for Critical Thinking, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Administration and Management, English Language and Production and Processing, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an operations management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 73 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 242 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,208 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8,385 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to operations management, at 43.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 12.2% |
| Some college courses | 12.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.6% |
| Master’s degree | 3.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
16 occupations are related to Operations Management, with an average median salary of $109,649; the strongest outlook belongs to Hydroelectric Production Managers, at 14.5% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Logistics Specialist, Plant Manager, Production Manager and Concrete Foreman.
The occupation related to operations management with the most projected jobs is First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, at 877,525.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 877,525 | -2.0% |
| Logistics Analysts | 688,094 | 1.5% |
| Logistics Engineers | 687,152 | 13.4% |
| Geothermal Production Managers | 503,620 | 1.9% |
| Construction Managers | 496,716 | -0.3% |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | 450,707 | 4.2% |
| Security Managers | 360,967 | 0.6% |
| Facilities Managers | 268,353 | -0.6% |
Operations Management graduates earn a median $63,256 one year after completing their program, $79,232 after four years and $73,412 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $63,256 |
| 4 years | $79,232 |
| 5 years | $73,412 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to operations management is Computer and Information Systems Managers, with a median salary of $175,079.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $175,079 |
| Biofuels Production Managers | $164,096 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | $146,025 |
| Industrial Production Managers | $126,666 |
| Quality Control Systems Managers | $108,531 |
| Security Managers | $104,128 |
Operations Management has 15 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 409,837 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration and Management, General (352,768), Organizational Leadership (16,833) and Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other (12,704). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | 352,768 |
| Organizational Leadership | 16,833 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other | 12,704 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management | 11,775 |
| Project Management | 6,038 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 2,975 |
| Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management | 2,443 |
| Retail Management | 1,363 |
| Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management | 805 |
| Transportation/Mobility Management | 506 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
