2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial engineering students.
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2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools
Wichita State University earned the #1 spot for value among industrial engineering schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Industrial Engineering graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Set against $24,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for industrial engineering. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $45,496. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #3 place for industrial engineering. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $73,777. That is a strong return on a $22,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in industrial engineering will find it at North Dakota State University Main Campus, which ranked #4. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $68,873 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Kansas State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $77,724. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Iowa State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $94,216. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $24,185. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,781. That is a strong return on a $24,185 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #8 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,512. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $79,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,512 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #9 for value in industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Industrial Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $70,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #10 among the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,540. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $75,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,540 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
