2026 Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial & management engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial & Management Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Missouri University Of Science And Technology, our #1 best value for industrial & management engineering in the The Plains States Region. Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $80,681 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for industrial & management engineering. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in industrial & management engineering will find it at Saint Cloud State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $25,076. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $51,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #4 place for industrial & management engineering. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Early-career industrial & management engineering graduates make about $56,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $23,289 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $23,608. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $122,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #7 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $84,866. That is a strong return on a $24,408 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University placed #8 among the best values for industrial & management engineering. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,236 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Industrial & Management Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $62,416 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,236 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
South Dakota State University came in at #9 for value in industrial & management engineering this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the industrial & management engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Set against $24,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial & management engineering schools. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for industrial & management engineering graduates is $22,669. Soon after graduation, industrial & management engineering degree recipients from Pittsburg State University generally make around $50,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[Industrial & Management Engineering](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/industrial-management-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
