2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general industrial engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general industrial engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Oakland University, our #1 best value for general industrial engineering in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $77,169. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $93,464. That is a strong return on a $20,306 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in general industrial engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $22,247 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $57,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,247 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $21,999. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,330 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $78,313 early in their careers. Set against $22,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,427 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $81,379. Set against $19,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #8 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $24,340. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,815 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University landed the #9 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $23,750. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $72,112 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #10 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $23,917. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $73,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #11 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $27,981. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $74,670. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $80,876. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $25,836. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #14 among the best values for general industrial engineering. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $23,577. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $80,435. Set against $23,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #15 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, while out-of-state students pay about $17,603. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $27,694. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $76,952. Set against $27,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earned the #16 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,896. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $32,750. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies generally make around $77,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering earned the #17 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $27,000. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $71,112 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Students from in state pay about $42,160 in tuition and fees. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $68,166. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #19 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $89,811. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.
Lawrence Technological University came in at #20 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $27,799. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Set against $27,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.
Kettering University came in at #21 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,425. Students borrow a median of $28,913 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Kettering University earn a median of $85,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow General Industrial Engineering Schools by State
More General Industrial Engineering Rankings
View All General Industrial Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
