2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 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
For return on investment in industrial engineering, no school beat Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $87,826. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $20,306. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $100,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,306 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $62,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in industrial engineering will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $26,273 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $92,990. That is a strong return on a $26,273 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. 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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Florida State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,426. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $18,027 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $132,568 early in their careers. Set against $18,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,633 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $69,672. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for industrial engineering value 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. 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. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #10 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $78,313. That is a strong return on a $22,330 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #11 among the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #13 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for industrial engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. 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 landed the #15 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $19,375. 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. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #16 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $25,531. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #17 position for value in industrial engineering this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,503. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #18 among the best values for industrial engineering. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $45,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $72,112. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Wayne State University came in at #20 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,815. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #21 among the best values for industrial engineering. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $73,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wichita State University earned the #22 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,262 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. That is a strong return on a $24,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #23 for value in industrial engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $81,055. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #24 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $31,000. Industrial Engineering graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $81,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #25 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,577 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $80,435. Set against $23,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s industrial engineering value ranking:
Other Industrial Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Industrial Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Industrial Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
