[General Operations Research](/majors/engineering/operations-research/general-operations-research/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general operations research schools.
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Finding the Best Value General Operations Research School for You
Where you study general operations research affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value General Operations Research Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Operations Research Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, our #1 best value for general operations research in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for general operations research. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general operations research program here. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $100,354. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general operations research, landing the #3 spot this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general operations research, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the general operations research program here. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,685. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for general operations research. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $99,947. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in general operations research this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the general operations research program here. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the general operations research program here. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $59,622. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for general operations research. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the general operations research program here. General Operations Research graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #9 for value in general operations research this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $20,031. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #10 spot for general operations research value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $23,258. General Operations Research graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $110,457 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Cornell University placed #12 among the best values for general operations research. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the general operations research program here. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $111,094. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $32,114. General Operations Research graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #14 for value in general operations research this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. General Operations Research graduates of Case Western Reserve University earn a median of $74,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University came in at #15 for value in general operations research this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. General Operations Research graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $72,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
General Operations Research Related Rankings by Major
General Operations Research is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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).
[General Operations Research](/majors/engineering/operations-research/general-operations-research/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
