2026 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong operations management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for operations management students.
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2026 Best Value Operations Management Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in operations management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Operations Management Schools
For return on investment in operations management, no school beat San Juan College this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $10,318 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $35,522 early in their careers. Set against $10,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $17,787. Early-career operations management graduates make about $45,185. Set against $17,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $18,660. Operations Management graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations management, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Yavapai College earned the #6 position for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System earned the #7 position for value in operations management this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $13,593 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,406 early in their careers. Set against $13,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $19,747 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $58,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #9 for value in operations management this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,437 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $51,745. That is a strong return on a $16,437 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #10 for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $57,994. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee came in at #11 for value in operations management this year. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Okmulgee. Students from in state pay about $5,774 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $13,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $52,354. Set against $13,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern State University came in at #12 for value in operations management this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $23,056. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $62,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #13 spot for operations management value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $26,855. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $61,521. Set against $26,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #14 among the best values for operations management. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,134. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #15 among the best values for operations management. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $66,005. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $24,112. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $83,193. That is a strong return on a $24,112 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #17 position for value in operations management this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $57,813. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Adventist University came in at #18 for value in operations management this year. Located in the town of Keene, Southwestern Adventist University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,380. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Southwestern Adventist University generally make around $33,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #19 among the best values for operations management. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $18,524 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,524 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Western Technical College El Paso placed #20 among the best values for operations management. Set in the city of El Paso, Western Technical College El Paso is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the operations management program here. Operations Management graduates of Western Technical College El Paso earn a median of $18,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 24 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.
