2026 Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
[Industrial & Management Engineering](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/industrial-management-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong industrial & management engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial & management engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial & management engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools
For return on investment in industrial & management engineering, no school beat California State University East Bay this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial & management engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in industrial & management engineering will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $10,492. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $117,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Students looking for strong value in industrial & management engineering will find it at Portland State University, which ranked #5. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University landed the #6 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $127,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #7 position for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $19,273. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,000. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of The Pacific placed #9 among the best values for industrial & management engineering. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,514 in student loans. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $77,022. That is a strong return on a $23,514 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Gonzaga University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $58,733. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
National University came in at #11 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $30,426. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of National University earn a median of $90,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Clara University came in at #12 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Set in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,144 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $79,380. Set against $20,144 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
Narrow Industrial & Management Engineering Schools by State
More Industrial & Management Engineering Rankings
View All Industrial & Management Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
