2027 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 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 The Plains States 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
For return on investment in industrial engineering, no school beat Fort Hays State University this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Students borrow a median of $25,967 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $49,775. That is a strong return on a $25,967 median debt. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #2 place for industrial engineering. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $24,262. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #3 place for industrial engineering. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $22,802. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $73,777. Set against $22,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 #5. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,000. 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #6 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $23,750. Industrial Engineering graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $94,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #8 position for value in industrial engineering this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $25,000. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,724. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #9 for value in industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Industrial Engineering graduates of South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earn a median of $70,216 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #10 position for value in industrial engineering this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,512 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $79,894. Set against $26,512 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #11 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,540 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $75,699. Set against $22,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Industrial Engineering Schools by State
More Industrial Engineering Rankings
View All Industrial Engineering Rankings >
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
