2027 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Operations Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/operations-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value operations management schools.
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2027 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the operations management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Operations Management Schools
Leading the list is Bismarck State College, our #1 best value for operations management in the The Plains States Region. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Students borrow a median of $15,452 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $100,668 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita Area Technical College one of the best values for operations management. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $35,358. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Crookston earned it the #3 place for operations management. Set in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $27,434. Operations Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $58,805 early in their careers. Set against $27,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #4 place for operations management. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $57,805. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in operations management will find it at Dakota County Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $18,649 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $45,143. That is a strong return on a $18,649 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #6 among the best values for operations management. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $20,199 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $54,579 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #7 for value in operations management this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $20,572 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $84,980 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Avila University earned the #8 position for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of Avila University earn a median of $61,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Metropolitan State University landed the #9 spot for operations management value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $29,250. Operations Management graduates of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $54,195 early in their careers. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #10 position for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $56,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #11 among the best values for operations management. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $22,555 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $55,013. That is a strong return on a $22,555 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota earned the #12 position for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $76,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University landed the #13 spot for operations management value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,878. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $50,431. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Mount Marty College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $108,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Marty College admits about 43% of applicants.
Briar Cliff University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Students borrow a median of $25,191 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,191 median debt.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College placed #17 among the best values for operations management. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,822. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of $57,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
