2027 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the Southwest 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong operations management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for operations management students.
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2027 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in operations management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Operations Management Schools
For return on investment in operations management, no school beat St Philips College this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $17,787 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,787 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Antonio College earned it the #2 place for operations management. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,318 to complete the operations management program here. Early-career operations management graduates make about $35,522. That is a strong return on a $10,318 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes San Juan College one of the best values for operations management. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $16,150. Operations Management graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in operations management will find it at Clovis Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,592, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $44,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $55,798. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mohave Community College came in at #7 for value in operations management this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Mohave Community College generally make around $54,785. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University came in at #8 for value in operations management this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #9 for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $19,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $58,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Yavapai College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #11 for value in operations management this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $16,437 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $51,745 early in their careers. Set against $16,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee placed #12 among the best values for operations management. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Okmulgee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,774, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $52,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $13,593 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #14 spot for operations management value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $20,500. Early-career operations management graduates make about $66,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University placed #15 among the best values for operations management. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $23,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $62,255. Set against $23,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #16 position for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $15,781. Early-career operations management graduates make about $73,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #17 position for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $26,855. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $61,521. Set against $26,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas placed #18 among the best values for operations management. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $66,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #19 spot for operations management value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $24,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $83,193. That is a strong return on a $24,112 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #20 spot for operations management value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $18,524 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #21 spot for operations management value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $25,000. Early-career operations management graduates make about $57,813. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Western Technical College El Paso came in at #22 for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of El Paso, Western Technical College El Paso is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $21,267. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Western Technical College El Paso generally make around $38,468. That is a strong return on a $21,267 median debt.
Ashford University landed the #23 spot for operations management value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,861 to complete the operations management program here. Early-career operations management graduates make about $67,902. That is a strong return on a $35,861 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
