2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial engineering students.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools
For return on investment in industrial engineering, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,633 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $69,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for industrial engineering. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,273. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $81,592. That is a strong return on a $26,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $87,826. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for industrial engineering. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,426. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $82,459. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #6 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,309. Industrial Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $81,055 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,309 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Louisiana Tech University earned the #7 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,125, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $31,000. Industrial Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $65,739 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Virginia University landed the #8 spot for industrial engineering value this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,207 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $75,606. That is a strong return on a $25,207 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #9 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $70,703. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Louisville landed the #10 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $23,000. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $74,163 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arkansas came in at #11 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $75,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville came in at #12 for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,132, while out-of-state students pay about $26,408. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Alabama At Huntsville earn a median of $76,690 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #13 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,033. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $91,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #15 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $65,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Clemson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $101,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Auburn University earned the #17 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $71,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Methodist University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,250. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $27,604. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $56,375. Set against $27,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #19 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,870 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $82,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #20 among the best values for industrial engineering. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $27,414. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $45,877. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Miami placed #21 among the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $15,110. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $71,089. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
