2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 88 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, our #1 best value for industrial engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,750. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $87,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $86,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place 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, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $76,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $77,169 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,633 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $69,672 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $75,110. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #7 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,273 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $70,194. That is a strong return on a $26,273 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #8 spot for industrial engineering value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #9 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $58,951. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $18,027. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $75,473. That is a strong return on a $18,027 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $15,552 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #12 for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,247 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $57,281. Set against $22,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in industrial engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,427 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $81,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #14 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $78,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,330 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University placed #15 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $28,351 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $62,053. That is a strong return on a $28,351 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #16 spot for industrial engineering value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $77,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University earned the #17 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $25,967. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University placed #18 among the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #19 among the best values for industrial engineering. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the industrial engineering program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #20 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,503. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $76,390. That is a strong return on a $22,503 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #21 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $83,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #22 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $87,226. Set against $19,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $65,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon came in at #24 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,780. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $22,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #25 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $63,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for industrial engineering this year:
Other Industrial Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value industrial engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All Industrial Engineering Rankings >
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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 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.
