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2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

94 Ranked Colleges
9,072 Degrees Awarded
$8,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Industrial Engineering is the 87th most popular major in the country with 9,072 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, industrial engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $68,960 and had an average of $24,268 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 94 colleges that offer a degree in industrial engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality industrial engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the industrial engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Industrial Engineering Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for ie students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Industrial Engineering (Income $0-$30k)

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s IE degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $245 for ie students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Northwestern Industrial Engineering Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 296 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $2,670 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at U-M

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 150 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Industrial Engineering Report

4
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 369 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,995 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at Purdue

5

Out of the 94 schools in the Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #5 spot on the list. Columbia is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 ’s IE degrees to qualified students.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia is $9,873 for ie students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at Columbia

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 110 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $4,858 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at UIUC

7

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 430 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $8,818 for ie students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

8

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 116 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities also took the #13 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 92 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. It costs about $5,194 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

10
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 194 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our ie students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,283 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full NC State Industrial Engineering Report

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 243 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Virginia Tech Industrial Engineering Report

12

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 162 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. It costs about $7,068 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Ohio State Industrial Engineering Report

13

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 90 diplomas to qualified ’s IE students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $4,176 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at USF Tampa

14

With a ranking of #14, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 402 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,220 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas A&M University - College Station.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Industrial Engineering Report

15

University of Central Florida came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 222 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $4,468 for ie students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at University of Central Florida

16

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 152 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $8,969 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at ASU - Tempe

17
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 47 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $4,950 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at Florida State

18

Iowa State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s IE degrees to 149 students in 2020-2021.

Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Iowa State Industrial Engineering Report

19
Northeastern crest
Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Northeastern is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 207 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

Northeastern also took the #17 spot in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern is $10,240 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University

20
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #20, Lehigh University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lehigh is a medium-sized school located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania that handed out 96 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our ie students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lehigh has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lehigh is $15,561 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at Lehigh University

21
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clemson University is located in Clemson, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 235 ’s IE degrees to qualified students.

Clemson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Clemson University is $13,744 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Industrial Engineering at Clemson University

22

University of Michigan - Dearborn landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Dearborn is a public institution located in Dearborn, Michigan. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UM Dearborn is $9,113 for ie students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at UM Dearborn

23
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend USC is $17,287 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full USC Industrial Engineering Report

24

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s IE degrees to 77 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,433 for ie students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

25

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value IE Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 104 ’s IE degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Industrial Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $12,173 for IE students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Industrial Engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

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Notes and References

References

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