Top 10 MBA Programs for a Career in Operations Management 2021

Placing seventh is the full-time MBA from Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business. The program scored high for research strength and career placements, with a strong 28 percent of graduates landing operations management positions.

The two-year program offers an intimate academic environment of only 60 students per year, as well as experiential opportunities in the US and abroad. Tuition for the Penn State Smeal MBA costs US$27,442 for Pennsylvania residents and US$43,800 for out-of-state residents.

In sixth place is Warwick Business School, whose MBA program scored high in career placements. 15 percent of Warwick graduates went on to careers in operations management.

Warwick’s 12-month program gives students personalized career guidance, hands-on experiential learning with businesses, and the opportunity to study overseas. Tuition amounts to £43,950 (approx. US$57,124).

Halfway through the list is MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business, whose MBA program earned high scores for both career placements and research strength. An impressive 37 percent of MIP graduates landed jobs in operations management.

MIP’s full-time International MBA is intensive and highly diverse, allowing students to gain business skills on a global scale. The program is one of the most affordable on the list, with costs capped at €37,000 (approx. US$43,433).

Just missing out on a top three spot is the full-time MBA from W.P. Carey School of Business, which achieved high scores for career placements and research strength. A whopping 38 percent of Carey graduates went on to careers in operations management – the second-highest percentage in the top 10.

The Carey 21-month MBA is built around eight concentrations and four specializations. Tuition is US$58,700 for Arizona residents; US$96,500 for out-of-state residents, and US$101,100 for international students.

Placing third is the International MBA from IE Business School, scoring high in employer reputation and career placements. 11 percent of IE graduates landed jobs in operations.

45 percent of IE’s International MBA is customizable, offering students personalized teaching for their individual needs. Throughout the degree, candidates also have access to different labs and internships. Tuition fees amount to €72,200 (approx. US$84,726).

Taking the silver medal position is the Eli Broad College of Business, which earned high scores for career placements and research strength. A whooping 38.6 percent of graduates landed jobs in operations – the highest proportion on the list.

The two-year program offers different specializations, as well as a mix of required and elective courses for students to create their ideal degree plan. Tuition costs total US$33,142 for Michigan residents, US$52,505 for out-of-state residents; and US$52,652 for international students.

Taking the top spot as the best MBA for an operations management specialization is the program at MIT Sloan School of Management, which achieved very high scores in all ranking indicators.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the 24-month program has tuition fees of US$192,115. MIT is home to four research centers associated with operations management: The Operations Research Center, the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, The MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and the MIT Sloan Initiative for Health Systems Innovation.