Best Schools for Operations Research

Operations Research graduates earn a median of $133,127 within four years of graduating, ranking #4 out of 283 tracked majors — 113% above the median across all fields. There are 5 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 166 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates earn $167,572 while California State University-Northridge graduates earn $74,344 — a $93,228 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Schools

$133,127

Avg. 2yr Earnings

of 283 Majors

166

Graduates

Public vs Private: Operations Research

Public (2 schools)

$106,614

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (3 schools)

$159,641

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $53,027 more in early earnings on average for Operations Research graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Operations Research by State

Top Operations Research Schools by Graduate Earnings

Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY · Private

$167,572

4yr Earnings

29 grads · small sample

2yr: $84,653 (24)

1yr: $87,327 (33)

Acceptance: 4.2%

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public

$138,883

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $76,460 (14)

Acceptance: 11.7%

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$76,460

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 61.2%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Mathematics and Computer Science $84,401 Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering $81,473 Petroleum Engineering $74,887 Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering $72,650 Mining and Mineral Engineering $72,531 Construction Engineering $71,301

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Operations Research?

Columbia University in the City of New York ranks #1 for Operations Research with median graduate earnings of $167,572 within four years of graduating. There are 5 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Operations Research graduates earn?

Operations Research graduates earn an average of $133,127 within four years of graduating. This is 113% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $74,344 to $167,572 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Operations Research program?

The average acceptance rate across Operations Research programs is 35.7%. The most selective program is at Columbia University in the City of New York with a 4.2% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Operations Research?

Private Operations Research programs average $159,641 in early earnings vs $106,614 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

Get Operations Research Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.