Top 10 MBA Programs for a Career in Operations Management 2021

Released today, the QS MBA by Specialization Rankings 2021 provide an overview of the top programs offered by business schools all over the world for seven areas of specialism.

Schools are ranked based on employer reputation and research strength for each of the seven areas, as well as the number of career placements graduates from the school’s MBA programs have achieved in the specific field.

MIT Sloan School of Management has been ranked as the best b-school in the world for specializing in operations management.

Here is the complete top 10.

9=) Imperial College Business School

In joint ninth place is Imperial College Business School, whose MBA program scored highly for employer reputation and research strength. 12 percent of Imperial graduates landed jobs in operations management.

Imperial’s full-time MBA, located in London, one of Europe’s main business hubs, combines business knowledge with technology-driven teaching. Tuition fees amount to £54,500 (approx. US$70,760).

9=) HEC Montréal

Next is the MBA program at HEC Montréal, which received high scores for research strength and career placements. 17 percent of HEC graduates went on to careers in operations management.

Offered in English or French, the one-year program boasts an excellent employment rate and a wide global network. Tuition fees vary depending on applicants’ nationality: US$6,533 for students from Quebec, France or Belgium; US$14,035 for Canadian students; and US$36,769 for all other international students.

8) INSEAD

Next is INSEAD, whose accelerated MBA program received a perfect score for employer reputation and high scores across all other indicators.

Conducted on the school’s two campuses in Europe and Asia, INSEAD’s full-time MBA offers a fully multicultural experience in just 10 months. The first part of the program is built around 14 core courses, while the second allows students to customize their curriculum with a wide range of electives. Costs amount to €80,800 (approx. US$94,750).

7) Pennsylvania State University Smeal College of Business

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.

6) Warwick Business School

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).

5) MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business

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).

4) W.P. Carey School of Business

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.

3) IE Business School

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).

2) The Eli Broad College of Business

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. 

1) MIT Sloan School of Management

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.