2026 Best Value Operations Management Schools in Ohio
[Operations Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/operations-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for operations management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Operations Management Schools in Ohio
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the operations management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Operations Management Schools
Our analysis ranked North Central State College the best value for a degree in operations management in Ohio. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,236 median debt.
Lakeland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $23,200. Early-career operations management graduates make about $51,941. That is a strong return on a $23,200 median debt.
Edison State Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,499 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $15,406 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in operations management will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $26,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $56,818. Set against $26,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Terra State Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fremont. Students from in state pay about $5,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $24,070. Early-career operations management graduates make about $63,495. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for operations management value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $81,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Toledo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, while out-of-state students pay about $21,517. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $52,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Shawnee State University placed #8 among the best values for operations management. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, compared with $16,032 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in operations management this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $64,346. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,577 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $33,196. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $65,217. That is a strong return on a $33,196 median debt.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $19,789 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $66,296. Set against $19,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Tiffin University landed the #12 spot for operations management value this year. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Students from in state pay about $34,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $40,224. Operations Management graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $59,524 early in their careers. Set against $40,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
Cedarville University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $73,995. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #14 among the best values for operations management. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $89,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dayton ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $23,364. Operations Management graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $75,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
More Operations Management Rankings
View All Operations Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- 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.
