2026 Best Value General Operations Research Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Operations Research](/majors/engineering/operations-research/general-operations-research/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general operations research education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for general operations research students.
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2026 Best Value General Operations Research Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general operations research, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Operations Research Schools
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general operations research program here. General Operations Research graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $100,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general operations research, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $99,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia University In The City Of New York earned it the #3 place for general operations research. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. General Operations Research graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $110,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Cornell University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general operations research program here. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $111,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
