2026 Best General Operations Research Schools in California

General Operations Research is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general operations research schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best General Operations Research Schools in California

Best Schools for General Operations Research in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general operations research education in California.

Top Schools in General Operations Research

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

277 General Operations Research Degrees Awarded

$88,685 Median Starting Salary

University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best general operations research schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 277 general operations research degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general operations research degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $88,685. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. Get the full general operations research details for University Of California Berkeley

2

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

14 General Operations Research Degrees Awarded

$75,677 Median Starting Salary

University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general operations research schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 14 general operations research degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general operations research degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. See the full general operations research program report for University Of Southern California

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 3 schools evaluated.

• 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.