# Best MBA Programs for Operations Management

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-04 | Schools: 10 | Category: MBA Concentration
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-operations-management

## Methodology

MBA programs ranked for Operations Management — graduate earnings, business-program strength, and institutional outcomes. Limited to schools verified to officially offer an MBA concentration in Operations Management.

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering the best MBA programs for operations management, prospective students are looking for schools that not only excel academically but also lead to strong career outcomes. The average earnings for graduates in this field are impressive, with many schools reporting figures above $80,000. This list highlights the programs that are truly making an impact.

What distinguishes the top schools from the rest? It ultimately comes down to outcomes that matter — graduation rates, average earnings, and student debt. These factors reflect how well a program prepares its students for the job market. The schools listed below have been carefully evaluated based on these metrics, giving you a clearer picture of where to invest your time and money.

Take, for example, Cornell University and CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. Cornell graduates earn an average of $104,043, significantly higher than Baruch's $75,971. However, Baruch's net price of $3,033 makes it a more affordable option compared to Cornell's $28,690. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs students must consider when choosing a program that aligns with their financial and professional goals.

## Key Findings

- Cornell University graduates earn an average of $104,043, one of the highest in this ranking.
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has the lowest net price at $3,033, making it budget-friendly.
- The average graduation rate across these programs is 81%, a strong indicator of program effectiveness.
- Washington and Lee University graduates face a debt of $19,500, higher than some peers, which can impact financial decisions.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [CUNY Bernard M Baruch College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-bernard-m-baruch-college) | New York, NY | 72% | $75,971 | $3,033 | $11,512 | 0.15x |
| 2 | [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus) | Atlanta, GA | 93% | $102,772 | $12,116 | $21,672 | 0.21x |
| 3 | [Northwestern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-university) | Evanston, IL | 96% | $89,363 | $29,167 | $15,000 | 0.17x |
| 4 | [Emory University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emory-university) | Atlanta, GA | 91% | $80,137 | $22,585 | $18,250 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carnegie-mellon-university) | Pittsburgh, PA | 93% | $114,862 | $31,944 | $21,750 | 0.19x |
| 6 | [University of Rochester](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-rochester) | Rochester, NY | 85% | $79,042 | $29,278 | $21,000 | 0.27x |
| 7 | [University of Virginia-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus) | Charlottesville, VA | 95% | $86,863 | $21,565 | $17,500 | 0.2x |
| 8 | [Southern Methodist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-methodist-university) | Dallas, TX | 84% | $78,354 | $40,892 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 9 | [Case Western Reserve University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/case-western-reserve-university) | Cleveland, OH | 87% | $87,989 | $41,190 | $24,000 | 0.27x |
| 10 | [University of Scranton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-scranton) | Scranton, PA | 80% | $74,652 | $32,568 | $27,000 | 0.36x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best MBA Programs for Operations Management." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-04. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-operations-management

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.