2026 Best Value General Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

For return on investment in general industrial engineering, no school beat University Of Michigan Dearborn 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, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. 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. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northcentral Technical College earned it the #2 place for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $41,696. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.

3

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,247 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $23,750. 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. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

6

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $73,092. Set against $23,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

7

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $93,464. Set against $20,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

8

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #8 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $29,750. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $77,169 early in their careers. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #9 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $69,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #10 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $22,330. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $78,313 early in their careers. Set against $22,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

11

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #11 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $24,340. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,815 early in their careers. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville placed #12 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $76,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

13

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,577 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $80,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

14

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $80,876. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #15 spot for general industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,536 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $68,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.

16

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $27,981. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $74,670. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

17

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies came in at #17 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,896. Students borrow a median of $32,750 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $77,456. That is a strong return on a $32,750 median debt.

18

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $70,199 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

19

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University placed #19 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $68,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

20

Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Of Engineering came in at #20 for value in general industrial engineering this year. Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $50,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Milwaukee School Of Engineering earn a median of $71,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milwaukee School Of Engineering admits about 59% of applicants.

21

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University earned the #21 position for value in general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $17,912. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $89,811. That is a strong return on a $17,912 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

22

Kettering University
Flint, MI

Kettering University placed #22 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,425. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,913 in student loans. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $85,105. That is a strong return on a $28,913 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

23

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University placed #23 among the best values for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,760. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. Early-career general industrial engineering graduates make about $74,924. That is a strong return on a $27,799 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.