2027 Best Value Research and Development Management Master’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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for research and development management students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Austin Peay State University, our #1 best value for research and development management in the United States. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,605 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for research and development management. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $20,572 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $132,950. That is a strong return on a $20,572 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Andrews University earned it the #3 place for research and development management. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,056. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $26,314. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $62,634. That is a strong return on a $26,314 median debt. Andrews University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for research and development management. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $63,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Detroit Mercy one of the best values for research and development management. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,946. Students borrow a median of $22,735 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $67,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,735 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $89,972. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. 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. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,002. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $83,829 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.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #8 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. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $113,065. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #9 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $21,469. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $96,424. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Maine placed #10 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $73,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Harvard University landed the #11 spot for research and development management value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Winona State University came in at #12 for value in research and development management this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. 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 Winona State University generally make around $52,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot for research and development management value this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $28,000. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $77,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oregon State University placed #14 among the best values for research and development management. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $89,393. Set against $24,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #15 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $49,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Dakota placed #16 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,950. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $76,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #17 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,781 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $112,616. Set against $15,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #18 for value in research and development management this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $24,508 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $71,153 early in their careers. Set against $24,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #19 among the best values for research and development management. 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. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $26,000. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $44,194. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Wake Forest University earned the #20 position for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $104,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.
University Of Bridgeport landed the #21 spot for research and development management value this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,760. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $56,368. That is a strong return on a $28,601 median debt. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of San Diego ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,486 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,250. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of San Diego earn a median of $105,707 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
Northeastern University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value research and development management schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $25,611. Research And Development Management graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Piedmont International University placed #24 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $34,325. That is a strong return on a $28,154 median debt. Piedmont International University admits about 40% of applicants.
Ashford University came in at #25 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $35,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $70,200. Set against $35,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Research and Development Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s research and development management value ranking:
Other Research and Development Management Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Research and Development Management rankings across degree levels:
View All Research and Development Management Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
