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2023 Best Value Colleges for Operations Research (Income $48-$75k)

17 Ranked Colleges
1,698 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 1,698 people earned their degree in operations research, making the major the 203rd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, operations research graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $84,787 and had an average of $14,538 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 17 colleges that offered a degree in operations research. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality operations research programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the operations research program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Operations Research Schools

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The operations research school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 17 Best Value Colleges for Operations Research (Income $48-$75k)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s operations research degrees to 399 students in 2020-2021.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Columbia is $8,106 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Columbia University in the City of New York Operations Research Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s operations research degrees to qualified students.

MIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for MIT is $2,834 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Operations Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Princeton is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 79 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Princeton University is $5,542 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Princeton University Operations Research Report

4
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #4 spot on the list. Rice is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 12 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. It costs about $6,152 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Rice University.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Rice Operations Research Report

5
Cornell crest
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cornell University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 231 ’s operations research degrees to qualified students.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cornell is $9,785 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Operations Research at Cornell University

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s operations research degrees to 192 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $13,423 for Operations Research students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Operations Research at UC Berkeley

7

With a ranking of #7, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 50 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgia Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Tech is $15,415 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Operations Research at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

8
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 8 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. It costs about $21,526 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Operations Research at Carnegie Mellon

9
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified ’s operations research students in 2020-2021.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. It costs about $14,424 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Operations Research at North Carolina State University

10

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 ’s operations research degrees to qualified students.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. It costs about $11,505 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Operations Research at UIUC

11

Case Western Reserve University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 23 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

Case Western also took the #9 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Case Western is $19,864 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Operations Research at Case Western Reserve University

12
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s operations research degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

Northeastern also took the #14 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. It costs about $18,389 for Operations Research students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northeastern University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Operations Research at Northeastern

13
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s operations research students in 2020-2021.

USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend USC is $22,826 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Operations Research at University of Southern California

14
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. K -State is a large school located in Manhattan, Kansas that handed out 4 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at K -State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,868 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend K -State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Operations Research at K -State

15

Illinois Institute of Technology landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois Tech is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s operations research degrees to qualified students.

Illinois Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Operations Research Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Tech is $22,339 for Operations Research students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Operations Research Report

16

Southern Methodist University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Dallas, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 43 degrees to qualified ’s operations research students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SMU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SMU is $29,892 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SMU Operations Research Report

17

Florida Institute of Technology ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Operations Research Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida Tech is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Melbourne, Florida. It awarded 20 ’s operations research degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida Tech also took the #15 spot in our “Best Operations Research Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida Tech is $30,375 for operations research students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Operations Research at Florida Institute of Technology

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