2027 Best Value Management Science Master’s Degree Schools
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong management science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 237 schools to find the best return on investment for management science students.
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2027 Best Value Management Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in management science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Management Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in management science in the United States. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Management Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Management Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #2 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $121,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $19,137. Early-career management science graduates make about $66,254. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in management science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the management science program here. 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. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned it the #5 place for management science. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in management science this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the management science program here. Management Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $62,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Stanford University earned the #7 position for value in management science this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Management Science graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Management Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #8 for value in management science this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $92,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Oakland University landed the #9 spot for management science value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $69,446. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of California Berkeley landed the #10 spot for management science value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $202,958. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Portland State University placed #11 among the best values for management science. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $26,475. Early-career management science graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #12 position for value in management science 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. Management Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Florida International University landed the #13 spot for management science value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Chicago earned the #14 position for value in management science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $15,854. Management Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $190,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,854 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University East Bay earned the #15 position for value in management science this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, 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. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
San Francisco State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Management Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Management Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $48,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University landed the #17 spot for management science value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #18 position for value in management science this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $26,582. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value management science schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Management Science graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Early-career management science graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for management science. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $18,284. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $70,903. That is a strong return on a $18,284 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #21 among the best values for management science. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Management Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $95,189 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #22 spot for management science value this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Management Science graduates carry a median of $28,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,012. That is a strong return on a $28,091 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #23 position for value in management science this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Management Science graduates carry a median of $12,144 in student loans. Soon after graduation, management science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $144,086. That is a strong return on a $12,144 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #24 for value in management science this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for management science graduates is $25,500. Management Science graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $61,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Southern Utah University landed the #25 spot for management science value this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the management science program here. Early-career management science graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Management Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for management science this year:
Other Management Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Management Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Management Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 237 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.
