2027 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools
[Research and Development Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/research-and-development-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for research and development management students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Research and Development Management School for You
The right research and development management school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Research and Development Management Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Research and Development Management Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the research and development management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Research and Development Management Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among research and development management schools in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $14,339 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,339 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in research and development management will find it at Austin Peay State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $22,605 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $38,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the best values for research and development management. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $20,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $84,980. That is a strong return on a $20,572 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in research and development management will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #4. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $57,805 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in research and development management will find it at Andrews University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,056. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $26,314. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $62,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Detroit Mercy earned the #6 position for value in research and development management this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $32,946 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,735 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $52,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #7 spot for research and development management value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $70,541. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $25,815 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. That is a strong return on a $25,815 median debt.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #9 spot for research and development management value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,002 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $63,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,002 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,826. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Winona State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $49,552. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #12 position for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $113,065 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #13 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $76,029. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #14 spot for research and development management value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $59,597. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #15 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $65,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #16 position for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $49,181. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University landed the #18 spot for research and development management value this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $24,738. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $68,474. Set against $24,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $22,950 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $61,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #20 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $24,508. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $54,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $27,500. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $52,133. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #22 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,550. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $44,194 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Wake Forest University landed the #23 spot for research and development management value this year. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $21,577. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $104,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
University Of Bridgeport came in at #24 for value in research and development management this year. University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bridgeport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $56,368. Set against $28,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego earned the #25 position for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $78,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in research and development management:
Narrow Research and Development Management Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Research and Development Management. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
