2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general industrial engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of South Florida Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,633 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $69,672. That is a strong return on a $24,633 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for general industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,592. Set against $26,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $87,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, 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. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $82,459. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University placed #7 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $65,739. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,207 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $75,606. That is a strong return on a $25,207 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $70,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Louisville earned the #10 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $74,163. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Arkansas landed the #11 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $75,968. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. University Of Arkansas admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville landed the #12 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, with out-of-state students paying around $26,408. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $76,690. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Kentucky came in at #13 for value in general industrial engineering this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $76,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #14 among the best values for general industrial engineering. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $91,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #15 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $65,285. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $101,849. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Auburn University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $71,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
Methodist University placed #18 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,250. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,604 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Methodist University earn a median of $56,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,604 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #19 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,870 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $82,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,110 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $71,089 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 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.