2027 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Operations Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/operations-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for operations management students.
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2027 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in operations management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Operations Management Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for operations management in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $39,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Oakton Community College one of the best values for operations management. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $48,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Central State College earned it the #3 place for operations management. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Monroe County Community College earned it the #4 place for operations management. Set in the rural area of Monroe, Monroe County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,759, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,443 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Monroe County Community College generally make around $47,729. Set against $13,443 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #5 place for operations management. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $26,000. Early-career operations management graduates make about $76,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Mchenry County College came in at #6 for value in operations management this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Mchenry County College generally make around $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #7 position for value in operations management this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $10,906. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $38,648. That is a strong return on a $10,906 median debt.
Ferris State University placed #8 among the best values for operations management. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $21,713 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $68,526. Set against $21,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #9 spot for operations management value this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $13,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $46,719. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Northwest earned the #10 position for value in operations management this year. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,504. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of Purdue University Northwest earn a median of $51,424 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earned the #11 position for value in operations management this year. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Ohio University Chillicothe Campus earn a median of $43,704 early in their careers. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Global came in at #12 for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,101, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $25,797 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $54,278. Set against $25,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College placed #13 among the best values for operations management. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $16,134. Early-career operations management graduates make about $40,091. That is a strong return on a $16,134 median debt.
Edison State Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #15 position for value in operations management this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $11,266. Operations Management graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College landed the #16 spot for operations management value this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $23,200. Operations Management graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,200 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #17 among the best values for operations management. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $23,591. Operations Management graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $48,154 early in their careers. Set against $23,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #18 among the best values for operations management. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $68,932. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $25,557 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. That is a strong return on a $25,557 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #20 position for value in operations management this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $21,602. Early-career operations management graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $19,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $93,621. Set against $19,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vincennes University came in at #22 for value in operations management this year. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Students borrow a median of $15,306 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $24,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $55,477. That is a strong return on a $24,564 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Students borrow a median of $20,207 to complete the operations management program here. Early-career operations management graduates make about $58,324. Set against $20,207 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #25 position for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Operations Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in operations management:
Narrow Operations Management Schools by State
More Operations Management Rankings
View All Operations Management Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
