Best institutions to study Operations Management and Supervision
A program that prepares individuals to manage and direct the physical and/or technical functions of a firm or organization, particularly those relating to development, production, and manufacturing.
144 U.S. institutions graduated 11,666 Operations Management and Supervision students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0205, a specialization of Business Administration (CIP 52.02), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers occupation (BLS SOC 51-1011).
About Operations Management and Supervision programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage and direct the physical and/or technical functions of a firm or organization, particularly those relating to development, production, and manufacturing. Includes instruction in principles of general management, manufacturing and production systems, plant management, equipment maintenance management, production control, industrial labor relations and skilled trades supervision, strategic manufacturing policy, systems analysis, productivity analysis and cost control, and materials planning.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Operations Management and Supervision program, part of the Business Administration field, prepares individuals to effectively manage and direct the physical and technical functions within organizations. This program is designed for those interested in overseeing production, manufacturing, and operational processes, ensuring efficiency and quality in various business settings.
Students will gain essential skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers topics such as production management, equipment maintenance, and strategic manufacturing policy, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in operational roles.
Credentials awarded
What Operations Management and Supervision graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year6,207 graduates / yr · 38 institutions53%
- Bachelor's degree2,961 graduates / yr · 83 institutions25%
- Master's degree2,019 graduates / yr · 16 institutions17%
- Associate's degree242 graduates / yr · 22 institutions2.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate157 graduates / yr · 13 institutions1.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years73 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship7 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
Graduates over time
Operations Management and Supervision completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5,551 |
| 2013 | 5,508 |
| 2014 | 4,652 |
| 2015 | 4,809 |
| 2016 | 5,615 |
| 2017 | 5,191 |
| 2018 | 4,964 |
| 2019 | 5,431 |
| 2020 | 7,972 |
| 2021 | 6,789 |
| 2022 | 6,104 |
| 2023 | 5,593 |
| 2024 | 12,048 |
| 2025 | 11,666 |
Top 50 institutions for Operations Management and Supervision, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3,954 | 46% | — | $32,338 |
| 2 | Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global Marion, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 1,797 | 35% | $18,316 | $58,880 |
| 3 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 1,531 | 48% | — | $31,120 |
| 4 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 690 | 43% | $34,565 | $60,136 |
| 5 | University of Phoenix - Arizona Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 247 | 21% | $15,478 | $58,268 |
| 6 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicBachelor's | 171 | 11% | $26,445 | $61,466 |
| 7 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor's | 164 | 60% | — | $52,636 |
| 8 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor's | 153 | 48% | — | $52,129 |
| 9 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 146 | 75% | — | $60,360 |
| 10 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicBachelor's | 120 | 21% | — | $37,686 |
| 11 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 111 | 88% | — | $61,423 |
| 12 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor's | 91 | 80% | — | $67,823 |
| 13 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 84 | 51% | — | $40,091 |
| 14 | Franklin University Columbus, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 83 | 11% | $22,280 | $56,588 |
| 15 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor's | 74 | 81% | — | $58,041 |
| 16 | Joliet Junior College Joliet, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 69 | 21% | — | $39,887 |
| 17 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAssociate's | 67 | 59% | — | $54,387 |
| 18 | Pellissippi State Community College Knoxville, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 65 | 31% | — | $32,529 |
| 19 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 65 | 55% | — | $54,826 |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicBachelor's | 65 | 49% | — | $56,774 |
| 21 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 63 | 33% | — | $62,634 |
| 22 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 63 | 85% | — | $65,996 |
| 23 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor's | 56 | 69% | — | $46,272 |
| 24 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 55 | 34% | — | — |
| 25 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 52 | 70% | — | $47,555 |
| 26 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 52 | 90% | — | $67,699 |
| 27 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NEPublicBachelor's | 51 | 58% | — | $48,861 |
| 28 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology Okmulgee, OKPublicBachelor's | 50 | 42% | — | — |
| 29 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, NDPublicBachelor's | 48 | 47% | — | $100,668 |
| 30 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 42% | $21,909 | $43,435 |
| 31 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 47% | — | $48,535 |
| 32 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicBachelor's | 38 | 49% | — | $52,724 |
| 33 | Western Wyoming Community College Rock Springs, WYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 38 | 33% | — | $38,357 |
| 34 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 54% | — | $53,101 |
| 35 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicBachelor's | 36 | 59% | — | $55,477 |
| 36 | North Central State College Mansfield, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 36% | — | — |
| 37 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 35 | 61% | — | $53,194 |
| 38 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 31 | 68% | — | $50,924 |
| 39 | Avila University Kansas City, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 29 | 52% | $16,721 | — |
| 40 | Pitt Community College Winterville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 29 | 35% | — | $35,485 |
| 41 | Le Moyne College Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 28 | 73% | $20,356 | $46,124 |
| 42 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor's | 28 | 50% | — | $37,140 |
| 43 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 28 | 45% | — | $60,132 |
| 44 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 28 | 58% | — | $46,719 |
| 45 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 28 | 0% | — | $61,117 |
| 46 | Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OKPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 35% | — | $43,690 |
| 47 | University of Portland Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 27 | 80% | $33,822 | — |
| 48 | Strayer University - Global Region Washington, DCPrivate for-profitPost-degree cert. | 27 | 14% | $18,144 | — |
| 49 | Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 58% | — | $45,143 |
| 50 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 23 | 65% | — | $57,006 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Business Administration field (CIP 52.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 40 states & territories
Where Operations Management and Supervision graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Administration programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-1011, First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, among other roles. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 67,700 annual openings and a median wage of $71,190. Typical education for these positions includes a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0205
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workersprimary SOC 51-1011 | $74,450 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~67,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Computer and Information Systems Managers SOC 11-3021 | $175,140 | +15.2% Much faster than average | ~55,600 | Bachelor's degree |
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers SOC 49-1011 | $79,860 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~52,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Construction Managers SOC 11-9021 | $114,990 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~46,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Logisticians SOC 13-1081 | $82,320 | +16.7% Much faster than average | ~26,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Industrial Production Managers SOC 11-3051 | $126,060 | +1.9% Little or no change | ~17,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Facilities Managers SOC 11-3013 | $106,660 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~13,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Operations Management and Supervision programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
- Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
- Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
- Read and analyze charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs.
- Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
- Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
Tools and technology used
Other Business Administration specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Business Administration (CIP 52.02).
- Business Administration and ManagementCIP 52.0201348,906 graduates / yr2,305 institutions
- Organizational LeadershipCIP 52.021316,743 graduates / yr548 institutions
- Business AdministrationCIP 52.029912,575 graduates / yr296 institutions
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain ManagementCIP 52.020311,155 graduates / yr377 institutions
- Project ManagementCIP 52.02116,015 graduates / yr190 institutions
- Office Management and SupervisionCIP 52.02042,955 graduates / yr196 institutions
- Non-Profit/CIP 52.0206
Public/ Organizational Management 2,409 graduates / yr175 institutions - Retail ManagementCIP 52.02121,362 graduates / yr62 institutions
- PurchasingCIP 52.0202800 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Transportation/CIP 52.0209
Mobility Management 502 graduates / yr31 institutions - E-Commerce/CIP 52.0208
Electronic Commerce 414 graduates / yr35 institutions - Science/CIP 52.0216
Technology Management 399 graduates / yr29 institutions - Research and Development ManagementCIP 52.0210318 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Customer Service ManagementCIP 52.0207237 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Risk ManagementCIP 52.0215236 graduates / yr17 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Research Administration52.0214
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include awards of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, and Associate's degrees.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, monitoring, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can pursue careers such as First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, Computer and Information Systems Managers, and more.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 67,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Operations Management and Supervision?+
Operations Management and Supervision is CIP 52.0205 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Business Administration (CIP 52.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to manage and direct the physical and/or technical functions of a firm or organization, particularly those relating to development, production, and manufacturing. Includes instruction in principles of general management, manufacturing and production systems, plant management, equipment maintenance management, production control, industrial labor relations and skilled trades supervision, strategic manufacturing policy, systems analysis, productivity analysis and cost control, and materials planning.
How many institutions offer Operations Management and Supervision programs?+
144 U.S. institutions reported Operations Management and Supervision graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 40 states & territories, awarding 11,666 credentials in the year. That is 2.8% of all Business Administration graduates.
How much do Operations Management and Supervision graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers occupation, which Operations Management and Supervision most directly leads to, pays a median of $74,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Administration field report median earnings of $51,204 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card