2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in Pennsylvania

[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania State University World Campus the best value for a degree in general industrial engineering in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $26,062. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $61,674. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general industrial engineering will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College, which ranked #2. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $25,000. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earn a median of $78,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned it the #3 place for general industrial engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $76,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $78,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,834 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $81,142. Set against $23,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.