2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value industrial engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes 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
Our analysis ranked Oakland University the best value for a degree in industrial engineering in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $29,750. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,169. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,306 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Dearborn is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,516. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Students looking for strong value in industrial engineering will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $57,281. Set against $22,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Indiana earned it the #5 place for industrial engineering. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $21,999 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Set against $21,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,330. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $78,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,427 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $81,379. Set against $19,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #8 for value in industrial engineering this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $24,340. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,815. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #9 for value in industrial engineering this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $72,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #10 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $73,092. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #11 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $74,670 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in industrial engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $80,876. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $25,836. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #14 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $23,577. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $80,435. That is a strong return on a $23,577 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,644, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $27,694. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Platteville earn a median of $76,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies landed the #16 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,896. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earn a median of $77,456 early in their careers. Set against $32,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #17 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $71,112. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #18 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $68,166. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University landed the #19 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $89,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lawrence Technological University came in at #20 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,760 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $27,799. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Set against $27,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lawrence Technological University admits about 56% of applicants.
Kettering University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,425. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $28,913. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $85,105. That is a strong return on a $28,913 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
