BUSINESS Specialization

Management Sciences

Management Sciences graduates earn $86,176 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 33.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.

About Management Sciences

Management Sciences is a focused area of study within Business. Graduates typically earn around $86,176 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 593 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 56,747 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$59,831
Median Earnings · 4yr
$86,176
Colleges Offering
593
Graduates / Year
56,747
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,710

How Much Do Management Sciences Graduates Earn?

Management Sciences graduates earn $86,176 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,755 and $114,719. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $59,831 climbs to $86,176 by year four.

$59,831
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$86,176
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$84,095
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Management Sciences graduates. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $86,176 against an estimated $82,840 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 365 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 56,747 students who complete Management Sciences programs each year, the majority (74%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Master's 74%
Bachelor's 21%
Post-Bacc Cert. 4%

What Can You Do With a Management Sciences Degree?

Management Sciences connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Chief Executives leads at $213,990/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +4.3% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$213,990
$130K $356K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 22,200 openings/yr 204K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision Making Complex Problem Solving Critical Thinking Systems Evaluation Management of Personnel Resources
Day-to-day responsibilities

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

  • Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
  • Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
  • Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
↗ +21.8% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$130,000
$98K $171K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 2,400 openings/yr 27K employed nationally
Judgment and Decision Making Critical Thinking Mathematics Reading Comprehension Systems Evaluation
Day-to-day responsibilities

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

  • Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
  • Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.
  • Analyze statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.
↗ +33.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$120,230
$86K $159K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 23,400 openings/yr 262K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

  • Generate standard or custom reports summarizing business, financial, or economic data for review by executives, managers, clients, and other stakeholders.
  • Maintain or update business intelligence tools, databases, dashboards, systems, or methods.
  • Manage timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
↗ +6.5% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$117,330
$84K $158K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 4,800 openings/yr 64K employed nationally
Day-to-day responsibilities

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

↗ +4.4% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$105,770
$72K $167K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 308,700 openings/yr 3.5M employed nationally
Speaking Active Listening Monitoring Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

  • 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.
↗ +8.5% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$105,650
$82K $141K 25th–75th pct.
Master's degree 2,000 openings/yr 29K employed nationally
Mathematics Mathematics Complex Problem Solving Judgment and Decision Making Reading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

  • Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
  • Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
  • Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
↗ +8.8% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$101,860
$78K $133K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 98,100 openings/yr 898K employed nationally
Critical Thinking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Judgment and Decision Making Complex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

  • Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.
  • Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.
  • Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
↗ +5.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$99,080
$64K $142K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 8,100 openings/yr 82K employed nationally
Speaking Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.

Top Colleges for Management Sciences

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Management Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit 2,559 9.8% $32,740 $92,498
2 Northwestern University Evanston, IL · Nonprofit 2,073 7.7% $29,167 $89,363
3 Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit 1,758 4% $21,590 $102,491
4 Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public 1,456 14.1% $12,116 $102,772
5 University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit 1,242 4.5% $14,860 $91,885
6 New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit 1,217 9.2% $37,050 $82,509
7 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL · Public 1,125 42.4% $14,355 $81,054
8 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public 1,054 9% $12,548 $82,511
9 Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit 1,016 5.7% $29,612 $97,800
10 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit 1,008 6.4% $18,809 $87,555
11 University of Rochester Rochester, NY · Nonprofit 969 40.1% $29,278 $79,042
12 University of California-Davis Davis, CA · Public 958 41.8% $14,741 $80,838
13 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit 844 4.6% $20,111 $143,372
14 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC · Public 824 15.3% $11,655 $72,200
15 Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public 805 89.9% $14,967 $62,668
16 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX · Nonprofit 713 63.4% $40,892 $78,354
17 The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX · Public 671 65.1% $18,267 $68,227
18 University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public 637 11% $13,481 $92,446
19 Rice University Houston, TX · Nonprofit 632 8% $13,370 $89,718
20 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public 611 49.9% $14,600 $72,424

Ranked by Management Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Management Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Management Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Management Sciences a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $86,176 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $59,831 at graduation to $86,176 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +33.5% over the next decade, with Data Scientist among the fastest-growing roles.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 469,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.

Management Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Management Sciences graduates earn?
Management Sciences graduates earn a national median of $86,176 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,755 and $114,719. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Management Sciences degree?
One year after graduation, Management Sciences degree holders earn a median of $59,831. That climbs to $86,176 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Management Sciences degree?
Management Sciences degree holders pursue careers including Chief Executives, which pays a median of $213,990/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Management Sciences program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Management Sciences students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Management Sciences?
593 colleges and universities in the United States offer Management Sciences programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Management Sciences degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $86,176 and an average net price of roughly $20,710/yr, a Management Sciences degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Management Sciences and Business?
Management Sciences is a focused concentration within the broader Business field. The Business major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Management Sciences-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Management Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Management Sciences graduates consistently prioritize financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart.
Is graduate school worth it for Management Sciences graduates?
An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Management Sciences graduates?
The job outlook for Management Sciences graduates is strong overall. Related occupations project an average of +11.7% job growth over the next 10 years. Data Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +33.5%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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