2026 Best Value Management Science Schools in the Far Western Region

[Management Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/management-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value management science schools.
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2026 Best Value Management Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in management science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Management Science Schools
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among management science schools in the Far Western Region. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University East Bay one of the best values for management science. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $18,073. Early-career management science graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Bothell Campus one of the best values for management science. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $15,636. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $62,069. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. 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. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in management science will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Merced placed #6 among the best values for management science. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #7 for value in management science this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $73,209 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #8 for value in management science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $20,500. Management Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $48,546 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for management science value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $78,629. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Portland State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Management Science graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #13 among the best values for management science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Management Science graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $169,099. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $11,128. Management Science graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $66,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,128 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #15 spot for management science value this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $202,958 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for value in management science this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $12,144. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $98,385. That is a strong return on a $12,144 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #17 among the best values for management science. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $16,417. Early-career management science graduates make about $51,162. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #18 spot for management science value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $96,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Western Washington University landed the #19 spot for management science value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Management Science graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University earned the #20 position for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the management science program here. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,000. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Management Science graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $49,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Redlands came in at #22 for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Redlands, University Of Redlands is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $60,878. Management Science graduates carry a median of $27,175 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $57,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Redlands admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Southern California landed the #23 spot for management science value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Management Science graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $134,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Seattle University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Management Science graduates carry a median of $22,332 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $79,613. That is a strong return on a $22,332 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Portland landed the #25 spot for management science value this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of University Of Portland earn a median of $53,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Management Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for management science this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.