Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods at Oregon State University
Bachelor's Degree
oregonstate.eduAnalysis
Starting salary projections based on similar quantitative management programs nationwide suggest Oregon State graduates enter the workforce around $62,000—roughly $9,000 above what the state's only program with reported data shows. That's a meaningful gap worth noting, though comparing national estimates to actual Oregon outcomes requires caution. The estimated debt of $22,789 translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, which represents a manageable financial burden by most measures. For context, you'd be looking at monthly loan payments around $250 on a standard repayment plan, consuming roughly 5% of gross monthly income.
What makes this field appealing is its quantitative foundation—skills in operations research, optimization, and data-driven decision-making transfer across industries from logistics to healthcare to tech. The national pool of 320 programs suggests strong employer demand for these capabilities. However, Oregon's limited market (just three schools offer this degree) means fewer local comparison points. If your child plans to work in Oregon immediately after graduation, peer programs here typically produce more modest starting salaries in the low-to-mid $50,000s. The national estimate might be more realistic if they're targeting larger markets or corporate roles in other states. Given the estimation uncertainty, confirm what Oregon State's career services reports for actual graduate placements in this specific major before committing.
Where Oregon State University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (3 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $13,494 | $62,069* | — | $22,789* | — | |
| $54,900 | $53,136* | $77,607 | $23,500* | 0.44 | |
| National Median | — | $62,069* | — | $23,250* | 0.37 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Chief Executives
Chief Sustainability Officers
General and Operations Managers
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Operations Research Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Oregon State University, approximately 22% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 118 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.