2026 Best Value Research and Development Management Master’s Degree Schools

1

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin tops our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools in the United States. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $23,875. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $89,972. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

2

Fort Hays State University
Hays, KS

A rank of #2 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for research and development management. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $27,000. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $63,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research and development management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $20,572 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $56,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,572 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.

4

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

A rank of #5 makes Harvard University one of the best values for research and development management. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $16,616. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $103,400. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #6 for value in research and development management this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $24,508. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $71,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

7

University Of Detroit Mercy
Detroit, MI

University Of Detroit Mercy ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,946. Students borrow a median of $22,735 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $67,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #8 spot for research and development management value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $22,002 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $52,626. Set against $22,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

9

Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University came in at #9 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, compared with $14,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,605. Research And Development Management graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $38,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,605 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas landed the #10 spot for research and development management value this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $21,469 in student loans. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $96,424. Set against $21,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

11

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $63,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

12

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for research and development management. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $113,065. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD

University Of South Dakota placed #13 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $22,950. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $76,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

14

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $27,500. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $66,158. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

15

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University placed #15 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,738 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $89,393. That is a strong return on a $24,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

16

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #16 for value in research and development management this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the research and development management program here. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $112,616. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

17

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center placed #17 among the best values for research and development management. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $21,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from Cuny Graduate School And University Center generally make around $72,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

18

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $104,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.

19

University Of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT

University Of Bridgeport placed #19 among the best values for research and development management. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $28,601. Research And Development Management graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $56,368 early in their careers. Set against $28,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

20

Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University came in at #20 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $35,861. Early-career research and development management graduates make about $70,200. That is a strong return on a $35,861 median debt.

21

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego came in at #21 for value in research and development management this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the research and development management program here. Soon after graduation, research and development management degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $105,707. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

22

Piedmont International University
Winston-Salem, NC

Piedmont International University placed #22 among the best values for research and development management. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Piedmont International University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,575. Research And Development Management graduates carry a median of $28,154 in student loans. Research And Development Management graduates of Piedmont International University earn a median of $61,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

23

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #23 spot for research and development management value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $26,000. Research And Development Management graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $90,167 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

24

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value research and development management schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the research and development management program here. Research And Development Management graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

25

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University placed #25 among the best values for research and development management. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for research and development management graduates is $25,000. Research And Development Management graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $110,670 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.