2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in California
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong industrial engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in California
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
Our analysis ranked California State University East Bay the best value for a degree in industrial engineering in California. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $58,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. 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%.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $19,691. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $87,226. Set against $19,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of San Diego one of the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #6 for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $87,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
