by our College Data Analytics Team
[Operations Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/operations-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong operations management education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value operations management schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the operations management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among operations management schools in Kansas. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $11,828. Early-career operations management graduates make about $35,358. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in operations management will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $57,805. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for operations management. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations management graduates is $21,469. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. That is a strong return on a $21,469 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Southwestern College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Southwestern College generally make around $57,948. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants.
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This list is compiled 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.