Best institutions to study Management Science
A general program that focuses on the application of statistical modeling, data warehousing, data mining, programming, forecasting and operations research techniques to the analysis of problems of business organization and performance.
360 U.S. institutions graduated 35,090 Management Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.1301, a specialization of Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (CIP 52.13), and leads most directly to the General and Operations Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-1021).
About Management Science programs
A general program that focuses on the application of statistical modeling, data warehousing, data mining, programming, forecasting and operations research techniques to the analysis of problems of business organization and performance. Includes instruction in optimization theory and mathematical techniques, data mining, data warehousing, stochastic and dynamic modeling, operations analysis, and the design and testing of prototype systems and evaluation models.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Management Science program, part of the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods field, focuses on applying statistical modeling and data analysis to enhance business performance. This program is designed for students interested in understanding and solving complex organizational challenges using quantitative techniques. Students in this program will engage with various methodologies, including operations research and data mining, preparing them for a range of roles in business management. It is ideal for those who enjoy working with data and wish to make informed decisions in a business context.
Core coursework in Management Science includes optimization theory, stochastic modeling, and operations analysis. Students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication, equipping them to tackle real-world business problems.
Credentials awarded
What Management Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree24,330 graduates / yr · 241 institutions69%
- Bachelor's degree8,406 graduates / yr · 138 institutions24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate966 graduates / yr · 65 institutions2.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year839 graduates / yr · 33 institutions2.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship230 graduates / yr · 28 institutions0.7%
- Post-master's certificate115 graduates / yr · 8 institutions0.3%
- Associate's degree110 graduates / yr · 9 institutions0.3%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years73 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.0%
Graduates over time
Management Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,121 |
| 2013 | 4,443 |
| 2014 | 4,353 |
| 2015 | 5,697 |
| 2016 | 6,379 |
| 2017 | 7,699 |
| 2018 | 9,420 |
| 2019 | 10,655 |
| 2020 | 18,382 |
| 2021 | 22,099 |
| 2022 | 23,957 |
| 2023 | 29,962 |
| 2024 | 33,244 |
| 2025 | 35,090 |
Top 50 institutions for Management Science, 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 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 1,925 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 1,662 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 3 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 1,636 | 88% | $29,023 | $102,572 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1,542 | 68% | — | $68,079 |
| 5 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 1,296 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicMaster's | 920 | 91% | — | — |
| 7 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 870 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 8 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 870 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 669 | 96% | $11,666 | $99,843 |
| 10 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster's | 654 | 93% | — | — |
| 11 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 610 | 86% | — | $77,877 |
| 12 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 545 | 84% | $33,246 | — |
| 13 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 542 | 93% | — | — |
| 14 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 534 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 15 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 518 | 0% | — | $68,079 |
| 16 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 455 | 81% | $13,712 | $79,777 |
| 17 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 452 | 89% | — | $72,304 |
| 18 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 423 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 19 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sMaster's | 394 | 69% | — | $59,150 |
| 20 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 365 | 34% | $14,140 | — |
| 21 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 356 | 84% | — | $78,177 |
| 22 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAssociate's | 353 | 55% | — | — |
| 23 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicMaster's | 316 | 85% | — | — |
| 24 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 307 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 25 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor'sDoctoral | 304 | 76% | — | $61,303 |
| 26 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 297 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 27 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicMaster's | 296 | 86% | — | $52,684 |
| 28 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicMaster's | 277 | 71% | — | — |
| 29 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicMaster's | 249 | 82% | — | — |
| 30 | Lewis University Romeoville, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 234 | 67% | $17,632 | — |
| 31 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 217 | 94% | — | — |
| 32 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 216 | 87% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 208 | 65% | — | — |
| 34 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 207 | 74% | — | $59,501 |
| 35 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 204 | 43% | $21,535 | $65,070 |
| 36 | New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 202 | 59% | $22,158 | — |
| 37 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 201 | 65% | — | — |
| 38 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 191 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 39 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 190 | 68% | $28,141 | $51,522 |
| 40 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 190 | 75% | — | — |
| 41 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 186 | 95% | $22,242 | $92,963 |
| 42 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor's | 186 | 91% | — | $60,290 |
| 43 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor's | 185 | 79% | — | $68,804 |
| 44 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 181 | 69% | $34,539 | $51,494 |
| 45 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 179 | 71% | — | $57,257 |
| 46 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 173 | 55% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 170 | 95% | $19,452 | $83,810 |
| 48 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 167 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 49 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 160 | 85% | — | $62,069 |
| 50 | California State University - East Bay Hayward, CAPublicMaster's | 150 | 48% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods field (CIP 52.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 51 states & territories
Where Management Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-1021, General and Operations Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Management Science program can pursue careers as General and Operations Managers, Management Analysts, and Data Scientists, among others. With an expected job growth rate of 4.4% and approximately 308,700 annual openings in related fields, the median wage for these positions is around $102,950, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.1301
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
General and Operations Managersprimary SOC 11-1021 | $105,770 | +4.4% About as fast as average | ~308,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Management Analysts SOC 13-1111 | $101,860 | +8.8% Much faster than average | ~98,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Data Scientists SOC 15-2051 | $120,230 | +33.5% Much faster than average | ~23,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Chief Executives SOC 11-1011 | $213,990 | +4.3% About as fast as average | ~22,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Operations Research Analysts SOC 15-2031 | $88,940 | +21.5% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Management Science 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
- Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
- Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
Tools and technology used
Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (CIP 52.13).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Management Science?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a postbaccalaureate certificate in Management Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Management Science?+
You can work as a General and Operations Manager, Management Analyst, or Data Scientist, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for Management Science graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.4% and around 308,700 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Management Science?+
Management Science is CIP 52.1301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (CIP 52.13). NCES defines it as: A general program that focuses on the application of statistical modeling, data warehousing, data mining, programming, forecasting and operations research techniques to the analysis of problems of business organization and performance. Includes instruction in optimization theory and mathematical techniques, data mining, data warehousing, stochastic and dynamic modeling, operations analysis, and the design and testing of prototype systems and evaluation models.
How many institutions offer Management Science programs?+
360 U.S. institutions reported Management Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 35,090 credentials in the year. That is 53.0% of all Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods graduates.
How much do Management Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The General and Operations Managers occupation, which Management Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $105,770 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods field report median earnings of $61,303 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.
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