2026 Best Value Operations Research Master’s Degree Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among operations research schools in the United States. 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. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $10,888. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #2 place for operations research. 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. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $24,323. Operations Research graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations research, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the operations research program here. Soon after graduation, operations research degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $99,947. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations research, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the operations research program here. Operations Research graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $88,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value operations research schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $20,778. Early-career operations research graduates make about $57,461. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value operations research schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $22,113. Operations Research graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $59,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

7

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #7 for value in operations research this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the operations research program here. 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.

8

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #8 position for value in operations research this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Operations Research graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations research degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.

9

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University placed #9 among the best values for operations research. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $15,000. Early-career operations research graduates make about $125,810. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

10

Florida Institute Of Technology
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value operations research schools. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $32,114. Early-career operations research graduates make about $69,878. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

11

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value operations research schools. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Operations Research graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Early-career operations research graduates make about $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.