[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general industrial engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 157 schools to find the best return on investment for general industrial engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value General Industrial Engineering School for You
The general industrial engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Florida State University, our #1 best value for general industrial engineering in the United States. 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. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $76,426. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $21,750. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $87,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,750 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general industrial engineering will find it at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #3. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $25,000. General Industrial Engineering graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $75,110 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $26,273. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $81,592. Set against $26,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $24,633. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $69,672 early in their careers. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #6 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $26,516. Soon after graduation, general 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. The acceptance rate is 56%.
California State University East Bay landed the #7 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $58,951 early in their careers. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $18,027. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $104,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #9 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #10 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $77,850. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,427 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $81,379 early in their careers. Set against $19,427 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $11,709. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #13 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $20,306. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $93,464. That is a strong return on a $20,306 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #14 for value in general industrial engineering this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,552 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $45,467. That is a strong return on a $15,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #15 for value in general industrial engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $57,281. That is a strong return on a $22,247 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
San Jose State University landed the #16 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $21,500. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $76,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $78,313. Set against $22,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #19 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $82,459. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
West Virginia University earned the #20 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,207 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $75,606. That is a strong return on a $25,207 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University landed the #21 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $72,112. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #22 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $19,691. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $87,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, general 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. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana Tech University placed #24 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $65,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $73,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general industrial engineering this year:
This list is compiled 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 · 157 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 95 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).
[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general industrial engineering education at a price that pays off.
