Management Scienceat Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Graduates earn $77,877/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Management Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $944K; scenarios range from $766K to $978K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Virginia Tech
At $77,877 per year, Management Science graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn slightly above the $62,729 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Management Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Management Science's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 22% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $21,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #11 of 118 programs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's Management Science program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $77,877 to $109,446 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Virginia Tech's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Management Science
How Virginia Tech stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Virginia Tech
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Virginia Tech, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Management Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Management Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Management Science at Virginia Tech
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Management Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University?
This program scores 87/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Management Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Management Science careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $766,456 in decade earnings vs $977,508 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.