[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 105 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial engineering students.
Finding the Best Value Industrial Engineering School for You
The right industrial engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus the best value for a degree in industrial engineering in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $87,826. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for industrial engineering. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $93,464. Set against $20,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for industrial engineering. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $29,750. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,169. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $76,426. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #6 spot for industrial engineering value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,633 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $69,672. That is a strong return on a $24,633 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #7 for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Set against $26,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,273. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $81,592. That is a strong return on a $26,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #9 for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $22,247 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $57,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #10 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $18,027. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $104,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
California State University East Bay came in at #11 for value in industrial engineering this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #12 for value in industrial engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $15,552. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $45,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for industrial engineering. 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. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,427 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $81,379. That is a strong return on a $19,427 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #15 position for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,330. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #16 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,999. 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.
Lamar University came in at #17 for value in industrial engineering this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $28,351. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $62,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $19,026. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #19 among the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $77,850. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston placed #20 among the best values for industrial engineering. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $76,147. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University placed #21 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $25,967. Industrial Engineering graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #22 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $22,503 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $76,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #23 among the best values for industrial engineering. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #24 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,815 early in their careers. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $19,691. Industrial Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $87,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,691 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in industrial engineering:
The ranking above is published 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 · 105 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 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).
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
