2026 Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Industrial & Management Engineering](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/industrial-management-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 217 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial & management engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial & management engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools
For return on investment in industrial & management engineering, no school beat Stanford University this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $133,371. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial & management engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for industrial & management engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $120,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in industrial & management engineering will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $53,154. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University East Bay one of the best values for industrial & management engineering. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #7 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $19,349. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rice University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #9 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $110,914. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #10 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
San Jose State University landed the #11 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Purdue University Northwest ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Hammond, Purdue University Northwest is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,083 in student loans. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $66,798. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Christian Brothers University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,420 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $51,040. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #14 among the best values for industrial & management engineering. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $25,531. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #15 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #16 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $17,625. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $79,984. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for industrial & management engineering. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $76,149. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #18 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $47,717. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University landed the #19 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $112,624 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Texas earned the #20 position for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #21 spot for industrial & management engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $61,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University came in at #22 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,846 in student loans. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $88,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Del Turabo came in at #23 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Gurabo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $22,999 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $28,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University came in at #24 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $24,262. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University earned the #25 position for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for industrial & management engineering this year:
Other Industrial & Management Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value industrial & management engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Industrial & Management Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
