Top Business Schools for Operations Management 2023

An MBA in Operations Management can help students get an overview of this dynamic business area. Indeed, as the world globalizes, the operations functions in many industries, including manufacturing and shipping and others, are becoming more important. An operations manager is charged with overseeing a business' operations by ensuring they're efficient and effective.

To help students understand these processes, an MBA in Operations Management might cover a number of topics, potentially including product development, information technology, pricing, and even sustainability. Increasingly, as operations are more tightly tied to computers and networking, Operations Management MBA programs are delving into how to incorporate technology into systems. 

Some schools offer MBA specializations in Operations, and others offer related programs in fields like supply chain or logistics. For those students who want to explore the field on a deeper level, many business schools offer master’s programs specifically in operations management. 

A generalized MBA program will also most likely include some classes in operations management. 

The best MBA programs in Operations Management may leverage knowledge from in-house research centers, which may draw on ideas form other disciplines, such as engineering or computer science.

Many job opportunities exist for operations-minded MBAs, including positions like systems analyst, logistics manager, and operations analyst.

See below for the 10 best MBA programs for operations management.

Tempe, Arizona 26 Followers 65 Discussions
ASU - Carey

Typically, around one-quarter of ASU's MBA graduates tend to go into roles operations management or logistics, one of the highest rates of all schools surveyed by FIND MBA. The MBA program's specialization in Supply Chain Management offers a number of operations-oriented classes.

View School Profile
University Park, Pennsylvania 12 Followers 62 Discussions
Penn State - Smeal

Smeal's graduates go into operations in droves – some 38 percent of the class of 2021 went into operations, supply chain, or logistics roles, one of the highest proportions of any school surveyed by FIND MBA. The school's faculty includes some key figures in operations research, such as V. Daniel R. Guide, who co-edits the Journal of Operations Management. Although the school doesn’t offer an MBA in Operations Management, it does offer an MBA concentration in Supply Chain Management.

View School Profile
Columbus, Ohio 19 Followers 36 Discussions

The school’s Center for Operational Excellence serves as a hub for Fisher students seeking jobs in operations management. Students can pursue an MBA major in Operations and Logistics. In recent years, as much as 22 percent of the MBA class went into operations or logistics-related roles, according to the school. Experienced professionals looking for a more in-depth look at Lean and Six Sigma tools can look at the school’s one-year long Master of Business Excellence program.

View School Profile
Rotterdam, Netherlands 80 Followers 223 Discussions
RSM Rotterdam

The school hosts the uniquely multidisciplinary Center for Behavioral Operations Management, which examines how humans interact with supply chains. Typically, about 10-15 percent of MBA grads go into the operations or logistics fields. Rotterdam is a hub for global operations and logistics.

View School Profile
Newark, New Jersey 62 Followers 74 Discussions
Rutgers

Through Rutgers' Center for Operations Research, students can pursue a dual-degree MBA / MS in Operations Research and Business Analytics, which covers topics in information technology, analytics, and related areas. In recent years, upwards of thirty-five percent of the schoo's MBA graduates have gone into operations and related roles.

View School Profile
Nashville, Tennessee 16 Followers 35 Discussions

The school offers an MBA concentration in Operations & Analytics, where students can delve into modules like “Data Management and Business Intelligence,” “Operations Strategy,” and “Strategy and Operations Consulting.” This concentration is now STEM-designated, which gives international students the option of extending their post-study work visa to 36 months in total. Typically, around 10 to 15 percent of Vanderbilt’s MBA grads go into operations management positions.

View School Profile
Jouy-en-Josas, France 100 Followers 387 Discussions
HEC Paris

Although the school does not offer an MBA in Operations Management, the core program’s core curriculum covers a range of topics in the field. The school’s Operations Management & Information Technology department consistently produces relevant research. In recent years, as much as seventeen percent of the school’s MBA class of went into operations management and related fields.

View School Profile
College Station, Texas 42 Followers 62 Discussions
Texas A&M - Mays

Through Mays Business School’s MBA certificate in Supply Chain and Operations, students can study the overlap between these two interacting fields. The school’s Department of Information and Operations Management produces research in the operations management field; in general, around one-fifth of Mays’ MBA class goes into operations or logistics-related roles. 

View School Profile
Edmonton, Canada 50 Followers 53 Discussions
UAlberta

The Canadian school hosts the ‘Centre for Excellence in Operations,’ which produces a range of multidisciplinary research and puts on events. Alberta MBA students can pursue the innovative ‘Operations & Business Analytics Career Track;’ in recent years, upwards, of 20 percent of the school's MBA graduates have gone into operations management and related roles. 

View School Profile
West Lafayette, Indiana 20 Followers 82 Discussions
Purdue - Krannert

Typically, around 20 to 25 percent of Krannert MBA grads went into operations positions. With an Operations Management MBA major and a related student club, it's no surprise that US News & World Report consistently puts the school its top-ten list of best schools for a career in operations or production.

View School Profile

Related MBA News

May 26, 2020

FIND MBA Updates Top 10 Lists by Specialization for 2020

May 26, 2020

More MBA News

Related Articles

Learning Logistics in a Supply Chain MBA

Sep 15, 2015

Every company needs a logistics whiz who understands supply chain management—and the demand for these positions is only growing.

MBA Programs in Supply Chain Management: Beyond Logistics

Feb 05, 2013

How sustainability and other current topics are making supply chain roles exciting

More Articles

More Top 10 Lists

More Top 10 Lists

Related Discussions

MBA or MSc in Logistics/Supply Chain Management
Nov 17, 2016  4,034  AMBALA
Profile Assessment
Apr 26, 2016  645  Avadhesh
MSc in Logistics Cranfield/WMG/Strathclyde
Jan 29, 2016  723  HSNTX
Profile Help
Dec 18, 2015  181  rsr.siva
Shall I re-take GMAT?
Nov 26, 2015  298  RinkiPopli
Any MBA out there that focuses on supply chains/operations +...
Sep 15, 2015  574  Skolodiy
supply chain Europe
Apr 09, 2015  787  haskshuam
MBA Logistics
Feb 26, 2015  436  Capt-Murph...
Big decision: Broad or Smeal
Feb 24, 2015  853  greg freem...
MBA shipping and logistics management
Jan 06, 2015  1,269  Duncan
MBA Supply Chain
Dec 18, 2014  596  anmolt
Australian MBAs for supply chain management
Oct 27, 2014  3,231  ezra
650 GMAT/Supply Chain MBA
Aug 19, 2014  749  ralph
Tennesee vs Cincinnati for MBA?
Jul 30, 2014  287  JerryBot20...
MBA Italy - MIB vs MIP or something else?
Jul 09, 2014  849  ralph
Bath, Cass, Exeter, Birmingham or Nottingham MBA for strateg...
Nov 24, 2013  971  Duncan
Worcester/UNCC for Supply Chain MBA
Aug 20, 2013  213  ezra
Supply Chain Management US B- Schools
Aug 01, 2013  412  Duncan
Operations or Supply Chain
Jul 19, 2013  377  ezra
MBA Programs for Supply Chain in Asia?
Jul 15, 2013  1,807  chang dk
MBA vs. MSc Operations
Jul 11, 2013  316  Razors Edg...
IT with supply chain mangemnt
May 19, 2013  236  Duncan
Best supply chain schools in UK
Aug 19, 2012  2,463  Mamit
MBA for professionals from supply chain / logistics / shippi...
Jul 10, 2012  678  ralph
Got Unconditional offer - MSc Operations/Supply Chain from N...
Jun 27, 2012  349  Duncan

Go to FIND MBA Discussion Board

Advanced MBA Program Search
KEYWORDS (optional)
COUNTRY / REGION
SPECIALIZATION
LANGUAGE
PROGRAM TYPE
INTAKE
SHOW ONLY
AVERAGE GMAT
AVERAGE WORK EXPERIENCE
TUITION
DURATION