Best colleges for Operations Research in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of California-Berkeley and University of Southern California award the most Operations Research degrees and certificates in California: 300 and 13 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 California colleges offer Operations Research and award 477 degrees and certificates a year in all.
Operations Research is a specialized field within engineering that focuses on applying analytical methods to enhance management and decision-making processes. This program is designed for students interested in utilizing mathematical…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public · Bachelor's degree | $88,685 | 300 | 93% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Operations Research degrees in California
Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley Public | 300 | $88,685 |
| 2 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 California colleges offering Operations Research
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Postgraduate School (Graduate only) | Monterey | Public | 164 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Operations Research Analysts (SOC 15-2031).
Top skills
What Operations Research Analysts earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Operations Research programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Operations Research degrees?+
University of California-Berkeley (300 graduates a year) and University of Southern California (13 graduates a year) award the most Operations Research degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 California colleges offer Operations Research.
Which Operations Research program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of California-Berkeley tops the list at $88,685. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Operations Research Analysts earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Operations Research Analysts in California is $110,860 (median $102,100), across about 10,620 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Operations Research program?+
Operations Research is a specialized field within engineering that focuses on applying analytical methods to enhance management and decision-making processes. This program is designed for students interested in utilizing mathematical…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop mathematics, active listening, writing, speaking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Operations Research Analysts?+
The national job outlook is about +21.5% growth with around 9,600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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