2026 Best Value Operations Research Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value operations research schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the operations research program here. Operations Research graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $100,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2

Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #2 makes Rice University one of the best values for operations research. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the operations research program here. Soon after graduation, operations research degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in operations research, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $14,238. Early-career operations research graduates make about $88,685. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

4

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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbia University In The City Of New York earned it the #4 place for operations research. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Operations Research graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, operations research degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $110,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

5

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cornell University one of the best values for operations research. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $15,000. Early-career operations research graduates make about $96,377. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

6

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University placed #6 among the best values for operations research. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for operations research graduates is $20,500. Early-career operations research graduates make about $72,658. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.