2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general industrial engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for general industrial engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in the United States
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
Our analysis ranked Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus the best value for a degree in general industrial engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $87,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $100,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Dearborn one of the best values for general industrial engineering. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $62,536 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,516 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for general industrial 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. Students borrow a median of $26,273 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $92,990 early in their careers. Set against $26,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $22,247. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $57,281 early in their careers. Set against $22,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $76,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #7 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,027 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $132,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in general industrial engineering 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, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,633 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $69,672. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,427 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $81,379. Set against $19,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $22,330. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $78,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #11 among the best values for general industrial engineering. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #12 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #13 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $76,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $77,850. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #16 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $25,531. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $22,503 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $76,390 early in their careers. Set against $22,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #18 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $45,496. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Northern Illinois University placed #19 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $23,750. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $72,112. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #20 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $77,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #21 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wichita State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #23 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $81,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #24 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $81,491. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #25 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,577 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $80,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,577 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general industrial engineering:
Other General Industrial Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general industrial engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All General Industrial Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
