2027 Best Operations Research Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Operations Research programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools to find the best for operations research students.
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Best Schools for Operations Research in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in operations research, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Operations Research
Cornell University tops our 2027 ranking of the best operations research schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Ithaca. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 operations research students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Operations Research graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $96,377 early in their careers. Cornell University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full operations research program report for Cornell University
Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in operations research, landing the #2 spot this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 55 operations research degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Operations Research graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $110,457 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Get the full operations research details for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Students looking for a strong operations research program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 50 operations research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations research degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $88,685 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
See the full operations research program report for University Of California Berkeley
Rice University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best operations research schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 operations research degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Students who receive their operations research degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
Get the full operations research details for Rice University
Princeton University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in operations research, ranking #5. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 operations research students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations research degree from Princeton University earn around $100,354 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete this degree.
Get the full operations research details for Princeton University
Southern Methodist University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best operations research schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 23 operations research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations research degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $72,658 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in operations research from Southern Methodist University
Other Operations Research Degree Levels
Explore the best operations research schools at other degree levels:
View All Operations Research Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.
- 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.
