by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 33 U.S. colleges awarded 1,868 degrees and certificates in General Operations Research. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 71% of graduates. College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best General Operations Research Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $85,170 one year after completing, rising to $135,286 after four years.
A degree in General Operations Research involves the study of Operations Research. A Program That Focuses On The Development And Application Of Complex Mathematical Or Simulation Models To Solve Problems Involving Operational Systems, Where The System Concerned Is Subject To Human Intervention. Includes Instruction In Advanced Multivariate Analysis, Application Of Judgment And Statistical Tests, Optimization Theory And Techniques, Resource Allocation Theory, Mathematical Modeling, Control Theory, Statistical Analysis, And Applications To Specific Research Problems. Examples: [Decision Support Systems], [Decision Analysis], [Operations Analysis], [Simulation], [Operational Sciences].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general operations research is a widely-pursued major, with 1,868 degrees awarded annually. 33 colleges award general operations research degrees, an average of 57 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 433.
By level, the 1,868 awards include 440 bachelor’s degrees, 1,324 master’s degrees and 104 doctorates.
Women earned 39% of general operations research degrees and certificates in the latest year (726 of 1,868). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (458) and Asian (216), and international students earned 922.
College Factual ranks 16 schools in its 2027 Best General Operations Research Schools ranking, including 6 for bachelor’s degrees, 11 for master’s degrees and 6 for doctorates. It also ranks general operations research schools within 8 states. In all, 33 colleges offer general operations research programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Operations Research Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general operations research credential is the master’s degree: 1,324 of the 1,868 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general operations research call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Mathematics, English Language and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general operations research degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 440 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,324 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 104 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general operations research, at 36.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 36.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 21.2% |
| Master’s degree | 11.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 9.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.4% |
| Some college courses | 1.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to General Operations Research, with an average median salary of $117,272; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Drawing Instructor, Highway Engineering Teacher, Electrical Engineering Teacher and Ship Design Teacher.
The occupation related to general operations research with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Operations Research Analysts | 285,136 | 3.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
General Operations Research graduates earn a median $85,170 one year after completing their program, $135,286 after four years and $163,394 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $85,170 |
| 4 years | $135,286 |
| 5 years | $163,394 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general operations research is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $83,596 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
