2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region
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
For return on investment in industrial engineering, no school beat California State University East Bay this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $58,951. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #2 makes California State Polytechnic University Pomona one of the best values for industrial engineering. 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. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $75,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,027 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $104,021. That is a strong return on a $18,027 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for industrial engineering. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values for industrial engineering. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,691 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $87,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Oregon State University landed the #6 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $25,437 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $78,425. That is a strong return on a $25,437 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of San Diego placed #7 among the best values for industrial engineering. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $80,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #8 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $87,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-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.
