by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/general-industrial-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general industrial engineering students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general industrial engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College the best value for a degree in general industrial engineering in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Temple University earned it the #2 place for general industrial engineering. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. General Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the best values for general industrial engineering. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the general industrial engineering program here. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $76,707 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general industrial engineering. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Lehigh University one of the best values for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general industrial engineering graduates is $23,834. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $81,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
