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2027 Best Value Operations Research Bachelor’s Degree Schools

6 Colleges in the United States
$15,965 Avg Student Debt
$96,186 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Operations Research Bachelor's Degree Badge [Operations Research](/majors/engineering/operations-research/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for operations research students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Operations Research Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the operations research degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Operations Research Schools

1
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for operations research in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the operations research program here. 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.

2

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations research, landing the #2 spot 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. Operations Research graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career operations research graduates make about $88,685. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

3
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the best values for operations research. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $11,904. Early-career operations research graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for operations research. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the operations research program here. Early-career operations research graduates make about $110,457. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cornell University earned it the #5 place for operations research. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Operations Research graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Operations Research graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $96,377 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

6

Southern Methodist University earned the #6 position for value in operations research this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the operations research program here. Early-career operations research graduates make about $72,658. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.

Other Operations Research Degree Levels

Explore the best-value operations research schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Operations Research
Master's Degrees in Operations Research

View All Operations Research Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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