2026 Best Research and Development Management Master’s Degree Schools
Research and Development Management is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best research and development management schools.
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Best Schools for Research and Development Management in the United States
See the highest-ranked research and development management schools offering a master’s degree below.
Top Schools in Research and Development Management
Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in research and development management. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 19 research and development management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $113,065. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
More information about a degree in research and development management from Johns Hopkins University
Students looking for a strong research and development management program will find one at Wake Forest University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 15 research and development management degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Students who receive their research and development management degree from Wake Forest University earn around $104,615 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,577.
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A rank of #3 makes Texas Christian University one of the top schools for research and development management. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 18 research and development management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the research and development management program make about $110,670 in their early career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong research and development management program will find one at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 research and development management degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the research and development management program make about $96,424 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,469 to complete this degree.
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A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the top schools for research and development management. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 59 research and development management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the research and development management program make about $112,616 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
See the full research and development management program report for Arizona State University Skysong
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #6 among the best research and development management schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 17 research and development management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Graduates of the research and development management program make about $71,153 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,508.
See the full research and development management program report for University Of Southern Mississippi
Austin Peay State University placed #7 among the best research and development management schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. About 39% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 research and development management students who graduated with this degree at Austin Peay State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their research and development management degree from Austin Peay State University earn around $38,750 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,605 to complete this degree.
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Ashford University landed the #8 spot for research and development management this year. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 10% of students finish within six years. Ashford University awarded about 44 research and development management degrees in the most recent data year. Research And Development Management graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $70,200 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $35,861 to complete this degree.
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Other Research and Development Management Degree Levels
Explore the best research and development management schools at other degree levels:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 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.