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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong operations management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for operations management students.
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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.
For return on investment in operations management, no school beat University Of Minnesota Crookston this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,288. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $27,434 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $58,805. That is a strong return on a $27,434 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota County Technical College earned it the #2 place for operations management. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $18,649 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $45,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northland Community And Technical College earned it the #3 place for operations management. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,289 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $46,528. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in operations management will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #4. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $20,572 in student loans. Early-career operations management graduates make about $84,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Minnesota State University Moorhead one of the best values for operations management. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Students borrow a median of $22,555 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $55,013. Set against $22,555 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Metropolitan State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value operations management schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Metropolitan State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Metropolitan State University generally make around $54,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University placed #7 among the best values for operations management. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Operations Management graduates carry a median of $35,410 in student loans. Operations Management graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $60,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,410 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
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University Of St Thomas Minnesota earned the #8 position for value in operations management this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the operations management program here. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $95,796. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.