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2027 Best Value Operations Research Master’s Degree Schools

11 Colleges in the United States
$19,010 Avg Student Debt
$87,770 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Operations Research Master's Degree Badge [Operations Research](/majors/engineering/operations-research/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong operations research education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value operations research schools.

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2027 Best Value Operations Research Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in operations research, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Operations Research Schools

1

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among operations research schools in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $24,323. Early-career operations research graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

2
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for operations research. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $10,888. Early-career operations research graduates make about $100,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for operations research. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. 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.

4

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value operations research schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $11,691. Early-career operations research graduates make about $99,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations research, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the operations research program here. Early-career operations research graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value operations research schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the operations research program here. Operations Research graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

7

Georgia State University landed the #7 spot for operations research value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the operations research program here. Operations Research graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

8

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value operations research schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $23,258. Early-career operations research graduates make about $110,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

9

Cornell University came in at #9 for value in operations research this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, operations research degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $125,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.

10

University Of Southern California earned the #10 position for value in operations research this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, operations research degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.

11

Case Western Reserve University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value operations research schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $25,106. Early-career operations research graduates make about $74,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.

Other Operations Research Degree Levels

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

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

View All Operations Research Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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