2027 Best Operations Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Operations Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for operations management students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Operations Management in the Great Lakes Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the operations management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Operations Management
University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in operations management. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 52 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $67,699 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the operations management program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong operations management program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. About 13 operations management degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $93,621. Students borrow a median of $19,175 to complete this degree.
Get the full operations management details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Students looking for a strong operations management program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 111 operations management degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Operations Management graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $81,508 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans.
See the full operations management program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best operations management schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 22 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $77,454 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
See the full operations management program report for Purdue University Main Campus
A rank of #5 makes Miami University Oxford one of the top schools for operations management. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 91 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $89,855. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500.
More information about a degree in operations management from Miami University Oxford
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #6 position for operations management this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 146 operations management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Operations Management graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $66,296 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,789 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Dayton placed #7 among the best operations management schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 17 operations management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $75,522 in their early career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $23,364 in student loans.
Read more about the operations management program at University Of Dayton
Loyola University Chicago earned the #8 position for operations management this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 13 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $83,063 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the operations management program at Loyola University Chicago
Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for operations management this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 38 operations management degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Operations Management graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $68,932 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full operations management details for Northern Illinois University
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #10 for operations management this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 23 operations management degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Operations Management graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $64,346 early in their careers. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans.
Read more about the operations management program at Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best operations management schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 36 operations management degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $55,477 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,564.
See the full operations management program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Moraine Park Technical College earned the #12 position for operations management this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Moraine Park Technical College awarded about 28 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $46,719 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete this degree.
Get the full operations management details for Moraine Park Technical College
Kettering University came in at #13 for operations management this year. Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Flint. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kettering University awarded about 16 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $98,414 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,913.
See the full operations management program report for Kettering University
Joliet Junior College earned the #14 position for operations management this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 69 operations management degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $39,887. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995.
More information about a degree in operations management from Joliet Junior College
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #15 for operations management this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 17 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $80,885 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full operations management details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oakland University landed the #16 spot for operations management this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Oakland University awarded about 16 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Operations Management graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $76,869 early in their careers. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Get the full operations management details for Oakland University
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #17 among the best operations management schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. About 36 operations management degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $48,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,591 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in operations management from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best operations management schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. University Of Wisconsin Stout awarded about 65 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Operations Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $54,826 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Wisconsin Stout
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best operations management schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 65 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $64,117. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full operations management details for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best operations management schools. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. There were roughly 84 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $40,091 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,134.
See the full operations management program report for Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Ferris State University earned the #21 position for operations management this year. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Ferris State University awarded about 39 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $68,526 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,713.
Read more about the operations management program at Ferris State University
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global placed #22 among the best operations management schools. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Marion. There were roughly 1,797 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earn around $70,748 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $42,138.
More information about a degree in operations management from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
Franklin University earned the #23 position for operations management this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Franklin University graduates 3% of students within six years. About 83 operations management degrees were awarded at Franklin University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $65,217. Students borrow a median of $33,196 to complete this degree.
Read more about the operations management program at Franklin University
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #24 position for operations management this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. About 20 operations management degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $56,818 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,073 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Akron Main Campus
North Central State College landed the #25 spot for operations management this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. About 35 operations management degrees were awarded at North Central State College in the most recent year. Students who receive their operations management degree from North Central State College earn around $47,458 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,236.
More information about a degree in operations management from North Central State College
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 graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.
- 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.