2026 Best Value Operations Research Master’s Degree Schools

#1

University Of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. The median Operations Research program debt is $14,238. University Of California Berkeley alumni report median earnings of $92,446 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley

#2

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete their Operations Research program here. Kansas State University alumni report median earnings of $57,262 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. More on Kansas State University

#3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Operations Research ranking in the United States. Located in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete their Operations Research program here. Median earnings reach $102,772 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh

Raleigh, NC

Out of the 43 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #4 spot. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh

#5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

Champaign, IL

A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete their Operations Research program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#6

Northeastern University

Boston, MA

Northeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $66,162. Typical Operations Research student debt is $25,611. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,538. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. See the full Northeastern University profile

#7

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. The median Operations Research program debt is $13,516. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $143,372 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 4%. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

#8

Rice University

Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,718 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants. Get the full Rice University report

#9

Florida Institute Of Technology

Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Melbourne, FL, Florida Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Median earnings reach $43,137 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Institute Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 58%. See the full Florida Institute Of Technology profile

#10

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

Cornell University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Cornell University alumni report median earnings of $104,043 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Get the full Cornell University report

#11

Columbia University In The City Of New York

New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,517. Graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#12

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Set in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical Operations Research student debt is $10,888. Graduates go on to earn a median of $110,066 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. See the full Princeton University profile

#13

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University placed #13 among the best-value Operations Research schools in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Carnegie Mellon University Operations Research students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Carnegie Mellon University alumni report median earnings of $114,862 a decade after entry. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University has an acceptance rate of 12%. Read the full report on Carnegie Mellon University

#14

Illinois Institute Of Technology

Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Chicago, IL, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Illinois Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $82,592 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology

#14

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Located in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Southern Methodist University Operations Research students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants. Read the full report on Southern Methodist University

#16

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete their Operations Research program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,989 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Case Western Reserve University

#17

University Of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Operations Research program debt is $15,625. Graduates go on to earn a median of $92,498 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Southern California

#18

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #18 among the best-value Operations Research schools in the United States. See the full Cuny Bernard M Baruch College profile

#19

Rutgers University New Brunswick

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile

#20

United States Naval Academy

United States Naval Academy landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about United States Naval Academy

#21

Georgia State University

Georgia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full Georgia State University report

#22

University Of Arkansas

University Of Arkansas landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Arkansas

#23

Morgan State University

Morgan State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Read the full report on Morgan State University

#24

United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Get the full United States Military Academy report

#25

University Of Washington Seattle Campus

University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

#26

Saint Louis University Main Campus

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Saint Louis University Main Campus

#27

University Of Delaware

University Of Delaware came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Delaware

#28

Harvard University

Harvard University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Read more about Harvard University

#29

Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Western Michigan University

#30

United States Coast Guard Academy

United States Coast Guard Academy landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full United States Coast Guard Academy report

#31

Villanova University

Villanova University placed #31 among the best-value Operations Research schools in the United States. See the full Villanova University profile

#32

Naval Postgraduate School

Naval Postgraduate School landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Naval Postgraduate School report

#33

Texas A And M University College Station

Texas A And M University College Station placed #33 among the best-value Operations Research schools in the United States. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report

#34

United States Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full United States Air Force Academy profile

#35

Northwestern University

Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Northwestern University

#36

University Of Dayton

University Of Dayton offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about University Of Dayton

#37

George Mason University

George Mason University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Read the full report on George Mason University

#38

Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Get the full Purdue University Global report

#39

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report

#40

New York University

New York University landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full New York University profile

#41

Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management

Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. Read more about Air Force Institute Of Technology Graduate School Of Engineering And Management

#42

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Operations Research schools. See the full Stony Brook University profile

#43

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Southern New Hampshire University