2026 Best Value Research and Development Management Bachelor’s Degree 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for research and development management students.
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2026 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in research and development management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Research and Development Management Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill tops our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools in the United States. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. 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. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $14,339 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research and development management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $51,109. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fort Hays State University earned it the #3 place for research and development management. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $52,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $24,508. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $38,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Central Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $53,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Peru State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $25,815. Research And Development Management graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Set against $25,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #7 spot for research and development management value this year. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,735 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $37,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,160 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $56,395. That is a strong return on a $20,160 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University placed #9 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,605. Research And Development Management graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,750 early in their careers. Set against $22,605 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #10 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $22,002 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $52,626. Set against $22,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #11 position for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $55,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #12 position for value in research and development management this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $24,000. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $44,581. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #13 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Maine placed #14 among the best values for research and development management. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Winona State University ranked #15 on our 2026 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $47,097 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota came in at #16 for value in research and development management this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,950 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $47,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University placed #17 among the best values for research and development management. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Regent University earn a median of $48,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University placed #18 among the best values for research and development management. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. 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 $47,555. That is a strong return on a $24,738 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,960. Students borrow a median of $35,861 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $61,466 early in their careers. Set against $35,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #20 spot for research and development management value this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $27,000. Research And Development Management graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $52,133 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of San Diego came in at #21 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $51,056. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Piedmont International University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,575. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Piedmont International University generally make around $61,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #23 position 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $46,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $71,984. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Bentley University placed #25 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the city of Waltham, Bentley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,000. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Bentley University earn a median of $67,903 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Other Research and Development Management Degree Levels
Explore the best-value research and development management schools at other degree levels:
View All Research and Development Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
