2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 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 Southwest 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
Lamar University earned the #1 spot for value among industrial engineering schools in the Southwest Region. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,351 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $62,053. That is a strong return on a $28,351 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $15,552. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $45,467. That is a strong return on a $15,552 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas At Arlington one of the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,503. Industrial Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $76,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,503 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Kingsville earned it the #5 place for industrial engineering. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Houston landed the #6 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #7 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $63,269. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $19,375. Industrial Engineering graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $77,850 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for industrial engineering value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $72,397. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Arizona landed the #10 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $72,440 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #11 for value in industrial engineering this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $61,718 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $69,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #13 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $71,545. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #15 among the best values for industrial engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,708 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $86,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,708 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
