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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Operations Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

26 Colleges in the United States
1,586 Operations Management Degrees Awarded
$64,140 Avg Early-Career Salary

Operations Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for operations management students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Operations Management in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the operations management degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Operations Management

1

University Of Wisconsin Madison tops our 2026 ranking of the best operations management schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 51 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $67,699. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Wisconsin Madison

2

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in operations management, ranking #2. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 10 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $93,621 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,175 to complete this degree. Get the full operations management details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in operations management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 121 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $81,508 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,750. See the full operations management program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong operations management program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 23 operations management degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Operations Management graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $77,454 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in operations management from Purdue University Main Campus

5

Students looking for a strong operations management program will find one at Miami University Oxford, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 97 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $89,855. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in operations management from Miami University Oxford

6

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best operations management schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 150 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Operations Management graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $66,296 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,789 to complete this degree. See the full operations management program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

7

Northern Illinois University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best operations management schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northern Illinois University awarded about 43 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $68,932 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in operations management from Northern Illinois University

8

Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 for operations management this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $83,063. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full operations management details for Loyola University Chicago

9

University Of Dayton placed #9 among the best operations management schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 operations management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Operations Management graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $75,522 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,364 to complete this degree. Get the full operations management details for University Of Dayton

10

Grand Valley State University came in at #10 for operations management this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 operations management degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $57,760. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full operations management details for Grand Valley State University

11

Ohio University Main Campus placed #11 among the best operations management schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 37 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $64,346 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete this degree. See the full operations management program report for Ohio University Main Campus

12

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #12 among the best operations management schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 41 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $55,477. Students borrow a median of $24,564 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

13

Moraine Park Technical College placed #13 among the best operations management schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fond du Lac. About 25 operations management degrees were awarded at Moraine Park Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $46,719 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete this degree. Read more about the operations management program at Moraine Park Technical College

14

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #14 position for operations management this year. This large public university is located in the city of Oshkosh. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 39 operations management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh in the most recent data year. Operations Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $80,885 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full operations management details for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

15

Joliet Junior College placed #15 among the best operations management schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. About 64 operations management degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $39,887 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. More information about a degree in operations management from Joliet Junior College

16
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best operations management schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. About 58% of students finish within six years. Oakland University awarded about 10 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $76,869. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in operations management from Oakland University

17

University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #17 for operations management this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Stout awarded about 53 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from University Of Wisconsin Stout earn around $54,826 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the operations management program at University Of Wisconsin Stout

18

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #18 position for operations management this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 88 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $48,154 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,591 to complete this degree. Read more about the operations management program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

19

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best operations management schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College awarded about 67 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn around $40,091 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,134 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in operations management from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

20
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #20 spot for operations management this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Ferris State University earn around $68,526 in the first couple years of their career. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $21,713 in student loans. Read more about the operations management program at Ferris State University

21

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #21 among the best operations management schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 74 operations management degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Operations Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $64,117 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

22

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #22 position for operations management this year. Set in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 357 operations management students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, operations management degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $70,748. Typical student debt for the program is $42,138. More information about a degree in operations management from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

23
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University placed #23 among the best operations management schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 3% of students finish within six years. Franklin University awarded about 46 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the operations management program make about $65,217 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $33,196 to complete this degree. Get the full operations management details for Franklin University

24

University Of Akron Main Campus placed #24 among the best operations management schools. This large public university is located in the city of Akron. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 26 operations management degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their operations management degree from University Of Akron Main Campus earn around $56,818 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,073 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in operations management from University Of Akron Main Campus

25
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College came in at #25 for operations management this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Mchenry County College awarded about 14 operations management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their operations management degree from Mchenry County College earn around $24,177 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete this degree. See the full operations management program report for Mchenry County College

Rest of the Top 27 Operations Management Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong operations management education:

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27
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Narrow Operations Management Schools by State

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 67 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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