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Operations Research at Cornell University

Ithaca, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
64 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
65
Optimistic
64
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $96,377/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)
Job Market Medium (22,200 openings/yr)
ROI 5.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #3 of 6 Operations Research programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Operations Research graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,364K $1,323K $1,011K
Earnings Multiple 5.2x 5.0x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 70% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 65 64 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,056
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$129,348
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$151,071
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Cornell University's Operations Research graduates start at $96,377/yr — above the $87,034 national average, though not by a wide margin.

An earnings multiple of 5.0x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Operations Research's typical career paths, with 54% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 26% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,000 in median debt clears quickly against $96,377 in annual earnings.

This program is one of 6 schools offering Operations Research in our dataset — a specialized field with limited comparison points.

Five-year earnings of $151,071 show a 57% jump from the $96,377 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Cornell University

Only 8% of applicants gain admission to Cornell University, reflecting elite selectivity, enrolling 15,935 students in Ithaca, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Cornell University →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
Operations research analysts $91,290/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 6 schools offering Operations Research →

Operations Research at Other Schools

Columbia University in the City of New York ($110,457) Princeton University ($100,354) University of California-Berkeley ($88,685) Southern Methodist University ($72,658) California State University-Northridge ($53,677)

Other Majors at Cornell University

Computer Science ($152,656) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($103,650) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($100,516) Agricultural Business and Management ($92,163) Mathematics ($87,251) Chemical Engineering ($85,578) Mechanical Engineering ($85,440) Economics ($84,967)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Operations Research at Cornell University?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Operations Research field.
Will AI replace Operations Research careers?
With 54% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $1,011,109 in decade earnings vs $1,363,681 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Cornell University a hidden gem for Operations Research?
After financial aid, the average student pays $129,348 over four years — 51% below the $264,056 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →