In our previous article, we talked about the career scope, salary, and why you should pursue an MBA operation. In this article, we discuss in detail the top 10 best business schools in operations management and highlight what makes them unique.
Here is a list of the Top 10 best business schools in Operations:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
- Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper Business School)
- The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor (Ross School of Business)
- Stanford University
- Purdue University – West Lafayette (Krannert School of Management)
- University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School of Business)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller College of Business)
- Ohio State University (Fisher College of Business)
- Northwestern University (Kellogg School of Management)
- Columbia University
Click on the above business school to jump to the relevant section.
10 Best Business Schools in Operations in 2023
The following table represents the best business schools for operations with their employment and salary statistics:
| Best Business Schools Operations | Mean Salary in Operations | Median Salary in Operations | Salary Range | Class Size
(MBA Class 2024) | Operations Function Hire (%) |
| MIT Sloan | $146,484 | $145,000 | $95,000 to $190,000 | 408 | 9.8% |
| Tepper business school | $128,667 | $125,000 | N/A | 192 | 2.3% |
| Ross School of Business | $133,416 | $132,600 | $85,000 to $170,000 | 358 | 9.0% |
| Stanford University | $170,065 | $170,000 | $145,000 to $135,000 | 436 | 15% |
| Krannert School of Management | $90,445 | $90,000 | N/A | 48 (2018) | 24% |
| Wharton School of business | N/A | $130,000 | N/A | 916 | 3.0% |
| Scheller School of business | N/A | N/A | N/A | 170 | 7% |
| Fisher College of business | $105,000 | N/A | N/A | 59 | 6% |
| Kellogg School of management | $129,217 | $137,500 | $60,000 to $275,000 | 559 | 2% |
| Columbia University | N/A | $126,992 | $65,000 to $145,000
| 782
| 3.2% |
Learn about best business schools 2021 in Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, Supply chain Management, Consultancy, and Energy.
Interested in a career in Operations? The top business schools can give you a great boost in achieving your aspirations. And a great GMAT score can help you in strengthening your application to these top business schools. Sign up for our FREE Trial. We can also help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
Around 9.8% of the class chose careers in operation/project management function with a mean salary of $146,484. The salary range for students selecting jobs in operations is $82,500 to $175,000.
Operations Faculty at MIT Sloan
They have an excellent pool of operation management faculty that are globally recognized. Zeynep Ton, Associate Professor for Operations Management, was named among one of the 20 winners of 2018’s “Ideas Worth Teaching” award by Aspen Institute, for her course “Management of services: Concepts, Design, and delivery.
Another faculty that made the news is Greg Distelhorst, professor of global economics and management, created a how-to list on looking out for supply chain blind spots.
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum at MIT Sloan is into Operations research/statistics, which includes optimization methods. It focuses on modeling, analysis and solution techniques, data mining techniques, system optimization, and analysis for operations, consulting issues in operations, different models related to optimization with a seminar in operations research.
MIT Sloan also offers a dual degree program known as leaders for global operations that provides students with either an MBA or a Master of Science in management plus a Master of Science from one of six participating departments in the school of engineering.
Experiential Learning
MIT Sloan provides a flexible learning program where, after your first- semester core, you have three semesters to create a program that’s right for you.
It also offers Enterprise management where the program helps students to develop a holistic approach to solving the most crucial challenges of today’s business world. The EM Track allows students to participate in projects from real companies and train students for careers in a large organization, which includes the operational area of management.
Operations Club
The MIT Sloan operations club is for students interested in operations management and offers industrial visits, guest lectures, and competitions to its members. The Online Operations Simulation Competition (OpsSimCom) is a three days event that provides the students to compete with the top business school students around the world to see who can run the most profitable factory.
Recruiting partners
Recent MIT Sloan graduates interested in manufacturing have pursued a career in Boeing, Honeywell International, Nissan Motor Company, and Cargill Inc. Students that were interested in operational consulting are in firms such as McKinsey & Company and Booz & company.
Here are a few MIT Sloan related articles on MIT Sloan MBA Application Tips, GMAT Score required, Tips on MIT Video Statement, and MIT MBA Essay Tips for 2024 intake.
2. Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper School of Business)
Around 2.3% of the class chose careers in the operations function. The mean salary is $128,667.
Core Curriculum
Tepper School of Business focuses on two frontiers, i.e., Building analytical and leadership skills. Both are essential from an operational view. To solve an operational challenge, you should be able to forecast and provide solutions for which developing your analytical skills set is necessary.
A wide variety of electives available for an MBA in operations, students explore topics such as supply chain management, operations strategy, risk analysis, demand management, healthcare, six sigma tools and techniques, and many more.
Apart from this, they also have capstone projects and operations research concentration.
MBA Operations Research Concentration
During the 1950s, researchers at the university pioneered a new approach to business management called management science. It focuses on practicing the application of quantitative decision-making techniques and analytics by using management models, which are now followed by leading B-Schools.
This concentration provides a powerful career advantage in which students learn the framework for assessing dynamic and complex variables from the strategic decision perspective. It focuses on Optimization models by using various tools, that help to see through the problem and optimize and improve the business situations.
MBA in Operations case competition
Tepper School of Business organizes the nation’s capstone MBA Operations case competition where 20 of the most elite business schools from around the world participate in the same.
Recruiting partners
The major recruiting partners of the Tepper school of business are Amazon.com, Apple Inc., Bank of America, Intel Corporation, Johnson & Johnsen, Target corporation, and many more.
Did you know Tepper MBA is now a STEM Designated Program? Read Here
3. The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor (Ross)
With 9% of the class got placed in operations management and a salary range of $85,000 to $170,000, Michigan Ross ranks #3 for the best business schools in operations. The median signing bonus offered to graduates is $30,000.
Technology and Operations department
This department focuses on utilizing technology to transform processes and create value that lasts. The faculty merges the theory and practice to understand the science of value creation alongside technology.
Operations Management Faculty
The faculty helps in learning the importance of operations management and how it affects every part of an organization. They teach you to create social value through operations management by using an action-based teaching process.
The course is structured, keeping in mind the framework of systematically examining and understanding operations management issues. They incorporate various tools and practices that are useful in managing production and manufacturing systems.
Did you know Michigan Ross is going to launch STEM Track for its Full-Time MBA? Read Here.
Tauber Institute for global operations
It provides you access to a deep pool of academic, peer, and industry expertise. It’s a partnership between the Ross School of Business and the college of engineering at the University of Michigan.
MAP Projects at Ross
Multidisciplinary Action Projects or MAP projects are the premier experiential learning opportunity available to Michigan Ross graduates. Lasting seven weeks and taking place just before the summer internship, MAP projects allow students to hone their analytical, project management, and leadership skills.
Students tackle real challenges faced by businesses and gain experience with projects from virtually every sector and industry.
Strategic Operations Club
This club develops and maintains a relationship with firms that are seeking talented professionals in the operations field. It is developing leaders that can meet the future challenges of the dynamic business environment.
Recruiting Partners
The major recruiters are General Motors, Ford, Microsoft Corp., Amazon, Wal-Mart, The Procter & Gamble Co., and many more.
Here are few related articles on Michigan Ross MBA program: Class Profile, GMAT Score Required, and MBA Essay Tips for 2023 intake.
4. Stanford University – GSB
Around 15% of the class got placed into operation function with a mean salary of $170,065 ranging between $145,000 to $135,000.
The MBA program stands out because of its focus on general management. The two key things about Sandford GSB is its faculty members and alumni community.
Operations Management Faculty at Stanford GSB
The faculty in the academic area of operations, information, and technology employ various methods from the field of game theory, computer science, operations, probability and statistics, and econometrics. The faculty conducts cutting edge research in the area of:
Designing contracts and sourcing channels to create shared value
Learning and hierarchy’s in-service system, which includes designing and operating service systems to process tasks differently.
Value chain innovation initiative
This initiative by Stanford brings together faculty, staff, practitioners, and students to excel in the theory and practice of global value chain innovation through intensive research and knowledge dissemination.
Global Experience requirement
One of the unique elements in Stanford’s MBA program is the worldwide experience requirement were all MBA students participate in one of the following:
- Ten days of global study trip or Stanford exchange program
- The three-week global management immersion experience
- A week-long Global seminar
Here are few articles on the Stanford MBA Program: Class Profile, MBA Essay tips for 2024 intake, GMAT Score required, and Steps to get into the Stanford MBA program.
Interested in a career in Operations? The top business schools can give you a great boost in achieving your aspirations. And a great GMAT score can help you in strengthening your application to these top business schools. Sign up for our FREE Trial. We can also help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare.
5. Purdue University – West Lafayette (Krannert)
With around 24% of the class placed into operations function with a mean salary of $90,445, Purdue University ranks #5 for best business in operations.
Krannert Research Centres
Krannert School of Management has research centers that focus on Operations Management. They have affiliation with The Global supply chain management initiative that incorporates cross-disciplinary research from manufacturing, I.T., Marketing, sales, product design, and finance.
It studies various subject titles such as channel partners, supply and demand management, sourcing and procurement, and logistics management.
The program provides financial and intellectual resources to support operation and supply chain management.
Krannert Operations Club
The primary aim of the operations club is to help students gain industry exposure to broaden the understanding of operations beyond the traditional classroom setting. Various events are held, such as plant tours, workshops, case competitions, and operational guest speakers from industries to provide insight into real-world opportunities.
INFORMS Student chapter
INFORMS student chapter is a society at Krannert school of management that represents professionals in operations research and management science. The Purdue Chapter aims to provide a community at Purdue for students interested in operations management and promote discussions about relevant topics in operation management and management science.
The society also helps in providing career development and education opportunities for students.
Operations and Supply Club
The members of this club gain exposure in the field of operations and supply management by networking with companies for future career opportunities. The club also does volunteer activities, fundraising for charity, and creates awareness regarding the supply chain as a career path for local high schools.
Recruiting partners
Some of the top hiring companies for Krannert batch 2022 were Accenture, Amazon, Ford Motor Co., Intel, Mastercard, Staples, and many more.
Learn more about the Krannert School of Management MBA class profile, employment report, and salary 2022.
6. University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
Out of 17 operations major, 3% got accepted for placements with the median annual salary of $130,000 in operation function. The Wharton University ranks #6 for the best business schools in operations.
Wharton MBA: Operations, information, and decision department
For MBA in operations, the department’s mission is to improve the productivity and quality of enterprises by discovering, validating, and developing new theories, methods, and principals by educating highly capable professionals.
The faculty of this department is world-leading in the area of research and education related to operations management. They incorporate theoretical models, empirical analysis, and laboratory studies while teaching the class and have the flexibility to match their teaching methods to class content. The faculty of the department focuses on various areas of operations such as strategy, information systems, technology, product development and innovation, data analysis, and many more.
Cross-functional major in marketing and operations management
Due to the rising need in the industry for MBAs with in-depth training in marketing and operations, Wharton offers a cross-functional major in marketing and operations management. This major requires the integration of two functional areas and prepares its students to take challenges in their career paths. For instance, “A brand manager who needs to coordinate the manufacturing and marketing of the product.”
MBA Curriculum with Operation Management courses
Wharton’s core curriculum teaches operational management and offers a flexible course with subjects like information technology, strategy, and business analytics. Students can choose individualized major or up to two majors such as:
- Operations and information management
- Marketing and operations management
- Environmental and risk management
- Strategy and economics
MBA Operational Club
The club organizes an industry speaker series, factory tours, case competitions, simulations, and career advice, and interview preparation.
Recruiting Partners
Major recruiters who hired two or more members of the class of 2018 are PepsiCo, IBM, Amazon, Deloitte, Pfizer, Barclays, Apple, and many more.
Read other articles related to the Wharton MBA Program: Required GMAT score, MBA Essay Analysis and Tips for 2024 intake, and Class Profile, Employment Reports, and Notable Alumni.
7. Georgia Institute of Technology (Scheller)
The core curriculum under MBA in operations specialization are analytical tools for decisions and operations management. The core courses focus on exposing students to the most commonly used optimization-based tools for decision making while learning the concepts related to the management of policies and processes. It emphasizes on strategic design and delivering products and services to customers.
Various tools such as descriptive statistics, sampling and estimation, probability concepts, regression, simulation, and hypothesis testing are used while teaching towards the scientific analysis of data in different decision situations by the faculty.
Apart from the core, there are various electives such as operation strategy, business strategies for sustainability, service operation management, global operations and supply chain strategy, six sigma, supply chain modeling, and many more, which can be opted by the students.
Georgia Tech Experiential Learning MBA program
The MBA program operates within the Tech square innovation ecosystem, which is in the heart of Atlanta’s midtown. The location helps in connecting students with global businesses and start-up communities and provide them with opportunities to apply their statistical analysis and methodology to a company. Previous participated companies include Coca-Cola, State Farm, AT&T, and many more.
Apart from the above various case competitions and operations clubs are there to provide students with a chance to solve real business problems in a team-based environment.
Recruiting Partners
Some of the top employers that hire from the Georgia Tech Scheller MBA program includes Deloitte, Delta Airline, Amazon, Nike, Verizon, and many more.
Read more about Scheller MBA Program: Class Profile | Employment Reports | Notable Alumni.
8. Ohio State University (Fisher)
With 6% of its MBA class 2022 placed in the operations function, Fisher College of Business ranks #8 for the best business schools in operations. The mean base salary is $105,000.
Operations and logistics MBA curriculum
This course integrates their students with real-word trends and focuses on various topics such as:
- Global sourcing
- Supply chain tools and analytics
- Logistics decision making
Fisher college of business has three distinct features of its MBA curriculum. i.e., Experiential, personalized, and integrated. There are optional pathways that help the students focus on their career paths by combining them in the core curriculum. Few of the channels related to operations areas are:
- Supply chain
- Operational Excellence
- Logistic management
- MBA Six Sigma program
MBA Six Sigma program
It is a certificate program provided by Fisher to allow students to develop their knowledge and experience in a specific discipline. It involves activities with industry tools and helps in working specifically in the area of study that complements the student’s academic curriculum. The program includes a series of online training and classroom experiences with projects from actual companies that help both the students and the company.
9. Northwestern University (Kellogg)
With 2% of its MBA class 2022 placed in operations function, Kellogg School of Business ranks #9 for the best business schools in operations. The mean base salary is $129,217.
Strong Operations Faculty Base
Kellogg operations faculty includes several noted, award-winning scholars who have published textbooks and scholarly articles. Operations faculty have held numerous editorial positions for top publications, such as manufacturing and service operations, management science, and operations research.
MBA Curriculum with Operations Major
The core curriculum focuses on understanding organizational structure and how it affects other functions within the firm. The operations major is for students who are interested in consulting or general management or any functional areas of operations. Few of the operations tools and topics for the summer 2019 class are:
- Analytical decision modeling (tool)
- Managerial accounting (tool)
- Strategic decisions
- Field study
- Supply chain management
- And many more
- Operations Management club
The club’s mission is to raise awareness, interest, and knowledge about operations management among the Kellogg students and help in facilitating employment and learning opportunities by maintaining a relationship with practicing professionals.
Recruiting partners
The top recruiting partners for Kellogg MBA graduates 2019 were Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Adobe, Uber, IBM, Apple, PepsiCo, and many more.
Read other articles about Kellogg MBA Program: Required GMAT score, MBA Essay Questions Analysis and Tips for 2024 intake, Class Profile and employment report, and Kellogg STEM-Designated Major in Management Science.
10. Columbia University
With 2.3% of its MBA Class 2022 placed in Operations function, Columbia University ranks #10 for the best business schools in operations. The average median salary is $135,000, with a salary range between $65,000 to $145,000.
Healthcare Industry in 21st Century elective
Been the most significant and fastest-growing industry in the united states, the cost and quality of healthcare delivery have become a primary concern for employers, consumers, and employees. To tackle this problem, the healthcare industry in 21st-century elective focuses on providing an overview of the U.S. Healthcare industry, production, and delivery of healthcare, and critical challenges and opportunities faced.
The decision, risk, and operations division
For MBA in operations, the faculty of this department is a world leader in research and instruction and focuses on areas such as data-driven decision making through modeling, optimization, and management of uncertainty and operations analytics. The division has expertise in areas that include e-commerce, logistics, revenue management, resource networks, business analytics, healthcare operations, market design, service systems, and many more.
MBA Curriculum with Electives in Operation Management
The core curriculum under decision, risk, and operations includes business analytics, operations management, and managerial statistics. Under this, the student can select various electives on topics of operations, analytics, and technology.
Recruiting Partners
A few of the recruiting partners for Columbia University are Amazon, Apple, Samsung, Citi, Microsoft, KPMG, Deloitte, and many more.
Learn more about Columbia MBA Program: Required GMAT score, How to get into columbia, Columbia application Tips, and Class Profile | Employment Reports | Notable Alumni
Interested in a career in Operations? The top business schools can give you a great boost in achieving your aspirations. And a great GMAT score can help you in strengthening your application to these top business schools. Sign up for our FREE Trial. We can also help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare.
