2026 Best Value General Operations Research Master’s Degree Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the general operations research program here. General Operations Research graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $100,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $11,691. 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. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for general operations research. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for general operations research. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $20,778. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for general operations research value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $22,113. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $59,622. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #7 position for value in general operations research this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general operations research program here. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $110,457. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California placed #8 among the best values for general operations research. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. General Operations Research graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.

9

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #9 for value in general operations research this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for general operations research graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $125,810. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

10

Florida Institute Of Technology
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in general operations research this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete the general operations research program here. Early-career general operations research graduates make about $69,878. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

11

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general operations research schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.