by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value operations management schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in operations management, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in operations management, no school beat College Of Southern Idaho this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $12,375 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $34,368. That is a strong return on a $12,375 median debt.
Eastern Idaho Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $6,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $17,066. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Eastern Idaho Technical College generally make around $48,314. That is a strong return on a $17,066 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for operations management. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $59,334. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.