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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Industrial Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

87 Colleges in the United States
4,690 Industrial Engineering Degrees Awarded
$71,803 Avg Early-Career Salary

Industrial Engineering degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 157 schools to find the best for industrial engineering students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Industrial Engineering in the United States

Below are the best industrial engineering schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Industrial Engineering

1

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for industrial engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 65 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $89,811 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete this degree. See the full industrial engineering program report for Northwestern University

2

Students looking for a strong industrial engineering program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 139 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 141 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $86,476. Students borrow a median of $20,306 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for industrial engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 53 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $87,807 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from University Of Southern California

5

A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the top schools for industrial engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 343 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $87,826 in the first couple years of their career. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for industrial engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 95 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $80,435 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,577. Read more about the industrial engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #7 for 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. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 68 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $87,226 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,691. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #8 position for industrial engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 92 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $81,055 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,309 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

9
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #9 position for industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 257 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $81,379. Typical student debt for the program is $19,427. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University Main Campus

10

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 274 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $74,529 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $19,708 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Texas A And M University College Station

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #11 for industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 77 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $78,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 114 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $80,876. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Ohio State University Main Campus

13

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 207 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Industrial Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $82,437 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,870. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

14

Arizona State University placed #14 among the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 65 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $77,850 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,375. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Arizona State University

15

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #15 spot for industrial engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 21 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $75,473 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,027 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

16

Northeastern University landed the #16 spot for industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. Northeastern University awarded about 79 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Northeastern University earn around $77,066 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for Northeastern University

17

San Jose State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 38 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from San Jose State University

18
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University placed #18 among the best industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 56 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $81,142. Students borrow a median of $23,834 to complete this degree. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Lehigh University

19

University Of Connecticut came in at #19 for industrial engineering this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 45 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $77,692 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $24,889 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at University Of Connecticut

20

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #20 for industrial engineering this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates 84% of students within six years. About 19 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute generally make around $74,787. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

21

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #21 position for industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 84 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $76,707 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

22

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #22 among the best industrial engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 58 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $73,777 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,802. Read more about the industrial engineering program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

23

Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 23 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $77,994. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. See the full industrial engineering program report for Worcester Polytechnic Institute

24
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University placed #24 among the best industrial engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Clemson. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. Clemson University awarded about 161 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Engineering graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $74,709 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Clemson University

25

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #25 position for industrial engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $75,110 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full industrial engineering program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Rest of the Top 50 Industrial Engineering Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong industrial engineering education:

26
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
27
28
29
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
30
31
32
Suny Maritime College crest
Suny Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY
33
34
35
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
36
37
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
45
46
47
48
49
50

Other Industrial Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best industrial engineering schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Industrial Engineering
Associate's Degrees in Industrial Engineering
Master's Degrees in Industrial Engineering
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View All Industrial Engineering Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 157 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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