2026 Best Operations Research Schools in California

Operations Research is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their operations research programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools to find the best for operations research students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Operations Research Schools in California

Best Schools for Operations Research in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the operations research degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Operations Research

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

277 Operations Research Degrees Awarded

$88,685 Median Starting Salary

Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 school for operations research. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 277 operations research degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Operations Research graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $88,685 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. More information about a degree in operations research from University Of California Berkeley

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

14 Operations Research Degrees Awarded

$75,677 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong operations research program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 14 operations research degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the operations research program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in operations research from University Of Southern California

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 3 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.