[Management Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/management-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 285 schools to find the best return on investment for management science students.
Finding the Best Value Management Science School for You
The right management science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Management Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Management Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in management science in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $18,625. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $60,290. That is a strong return on a $18,625 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in management science will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Management Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in management science will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $121,795. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #5 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Management Science graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best values for management science. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best values for management science. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $19,137. Early-career management science graduates make about $66,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Miami Dade College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Management Science graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $40,267 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #9 spot for management science value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $169,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #10 position for value in management science this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,226 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $18,750. Early-career management science graduates make about $62,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced placed #12 among the best values for management science. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $18,318. Management Science graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University landed the #13 spot for management science value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Management Science graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Oakland University came in at #14 for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $69,446. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #15 among the best values for management science. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Management Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $202,958. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #17 for value in management science this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Management Science graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $68,838. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University landed the #18 spot for management science value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Portland State University landed the #19 spot for management science value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College came in at #20 for value in management science this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #21 spot for management science value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,973. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #22 position for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Management Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $48,546. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #24 position for value in management science this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago came in at #25 for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $15,854. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $190,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Management Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s management science value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Management Science. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 285 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 285 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).
[Management Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/management-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
