Top 50 Affordable Operations Management Programs

Choosing an Affordable Operations Management College

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There are a number of factors that should influence a student’s decision when they are selecting an affordable operations management degree program, including the school’s reputation within the field, affordability, accreditation history, location, and the availability of flexible attendance options. To begin, students should only look at accredited programs offered at the associate, bachelor’s, or graduate level. This is because organizations like the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs will ascertain the quality of a postsecondary institution’s faculty and curriculum. Employers in the operations management field will almost exclusively hire graduates from accredited programs.

Find Online Operations Management Schools

Additionally, organizations like US News provide an annual ranking of the top accredited programs by category. Operations management programs will generally fall under business programs, so students should also take a look at these annual rankings to gain an understanding of whether the program they are considering is well-regarded by business professionals. Attending a higher-ranking business program can be exceptionally helpful with employer recognition and networking post-graduation as some businesses will seek to primarily recruit from certain local or well-regarded postsecondary institutions. These are resources that are often extremely difficult to come by, and students should weigh the cost of attendance against the potential future returns on their degree.

Additional considerations that students should implement when hunting for affordable operations management programs are school location or if the program has options for flexible attendance, which can have an outsized impact on the affordability of the program. For instance, the average total cost of public in-state colleges for the 2017-2018 school year was $25,300 and $40,900 for out-of-state public schools. The total cost jumped up to $50,900 for students who attended private colleges that same year, meaning that, depending on a student’s school choice, they could save around 50% of their annual education costs. Of course, costs should be weighed in light of the potential long-term benefits of attending a school, but financial considerations are often a core issue when determining school selection.

Another important option that students should consider when looking at affordable operations management programs is the potential for flexible learning opportunities, like part-time programs or remote learning. These types of programs can allow students with important family responsibilities, like caring for young children, to continue attaining higher education. Students in more flexible programs can also work part-time while studying or attend school without needing to move, which can also be expensive.

Online Operations Management Education Options

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Operations management is a field of study that translates very well to online learning. Specifically, the field of operations management draws heavily from traditional management techniques and teaches students important communications skills, while also preparing students for technical situations like managing a factory or ensuring that equipment is well-maintained. Unlike certain engineering, science, or healthcare degrees, which require lab time or other hands-on training, business students can learn almost all of their relevant academic materials in a remote setting, as most classes are designed to facilitate peer-to-peer discussion.

With the advent of video software, students can easily simulate a classroom experience even if they are attending remotely. Most of the homework that operations management students will be given will include reading assignments, essays, and problem sets, all of which can be done in a collaborative online environment. This makes operations management a field that is particularly easy to translate into a fully online course of study, which can be especially beneficial for students who need a flexible study schedule.

It’s important to note that many leading educational institutions in the field have already pushed out online operations management programs that students can choose from. Given that students are usually attending classes out of their own homes, online programs can allow students to save on both housing costs and tuition. Today, many prestigious educational institutions offer affordable online bachelor’s programs in the field of operations management or logistics and supply chain management, which targets businesses that move physical goods. Students looking for online study options might consider taking a look at programs offered by UMass-Amherst, Arizona State University, Oregon Institute of Technology, Temple University, Ohio University, and Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Operations Management Graduates Earn More After College

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Operations management can translate into careers that are both rewarding and lucrative. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean hourly wage for general and operations managers is $60.45, which translates into an annual salary of around $125,700. Depending on one’s experience and industry of employment, those with operations management degrees can expect some fluctuation in their actual salaries. The BLS states that the bottom 25% of hires in the operations management field earn an hourly wage of $32.43 or $67,450 per year and the top 75% of earners have a wage of $77.49 per hour or $161,200 per year.

According to Payscale, a student who graduates with a bachelor’s degree in operations management can expect to earn $76,655 per year on average. Students who choose to specifically focus their bachelor’s education on logistics and supply chain management can expect to earn an average of $65,600 per year. As with most industries, earning a master’s degree can bump up one’s earning potential, and students with a master of science in operations management can expect to earn $82,900 per year.

Additionally, given the business underpinnings of operations management, many MBA programs also offer focused courses in the area. According to Payscale, those with an MBA degree focused on operations management can expect to earn an average of $107,000 per year. In terms of job title-specific earnings, logistics managers can expect to earn a salary of $67,000 per year, and construction managers will earn an average of $78,300. In comparison, according to ZipRecruiter, the average bachelor’s degree holder earns $51,200 a year, much lower than students who have a degree in operations management.