2026 Best General Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 80 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general 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. Read more about the general industrial engineering program at Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Students looking for a strong general industrial engineering program will find one at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 250 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $93,464. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $20,306 in student loans. Get the full general industrial engineering details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 164 general industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. General 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. See the full general industrial engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the top schools for general industrial engineering. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 366 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general industrial engineering program make about $81,379 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,427. See the full general industrial engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus

5

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 135 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $78,313. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete this degree. Get the full general industrial engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general industrial engineering degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $80,876 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from Ohio State University Main Campus

7

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lawrence Technological University awarded about 21 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general industrial engineering degree from Lawrence Technological University earn around $74,924 in the first couple years of their career. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Read more about the general industrial engineering program at Lawrence Technological University

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #8 spot for general industrial engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 75 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $73,092. Typical student debt for the program is $23,917. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #9 spot for general industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 67 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $57,281 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,247 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Dearborn in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general industrial engineering program make about $62,536 in their early career. University Of Michigan Dearborn graduates carry a median of $26,516 in student loans. Get the full general industrial engineering details for University Of Michigan Dearborn

11

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College earned the #11 position for general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 13 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general industrial engineering degree from Northcentral Technical College earn around $41,696 in the first couple years of their career. Northcentral Technical College graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from Northcentral Technical College

12

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best general industrial engineering schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 52 general industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $77,815 early in their careers. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Get the full general industrial engineering details for Wayne State University

13

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #13 among the best general industrial engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 66 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $72,112 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Read more about the general industrial engineering program at Northern Illinois University

14

Kettering University
Flint, MI

Kettering University earned the #14 position for general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Flint, Kettering University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Kettering University in the most recent data year. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Kettering University earn a median of $85,105 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,913. Get the full general industrial engineering details for Kettering University

15

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general industrial engineering degree from Western Michigan University earn around $74,670 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete this degree. See the full general industrial engineering program report for Western Michigan University

16

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University landed the #16 spot for general industrial engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 24 general industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general industrial engineering degree from Bradley University earn around $68,166 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete this degree. Read more about the general industrial engineering program at Bradley University

17

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #17 spot for general industrial engineering this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 16 general industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $77,169 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from Oakland University

18

Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Of Engineering earned the #18 position for general industrial engineering this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee School Of Engineering graduates 67% of students within six years. Milwaukee School Of Engineering awarded about 21 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general industrial engineering program make about $71,112 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the general industrial engineering program at Milwaukee School Of Engineering

19

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #19 for general industrial engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Platteville. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Platteville awarded about 24 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general industrial engineering program make about $76,952 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,694 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from University Of Wisconsin Platteville

20

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #20 position for general industrial engineering this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 13 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general industrial engineering program make about $70,199 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from Ohio University Main Campus

21

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #21 among the best general industrial engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 53% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee awarded about 14 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general industrial engineering program make about $68,673 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $22,536 in student loans. Read more about the general industrial engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

22

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

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best general industrial engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Wayne. The six-year graduation rate is 26%. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies awarded about 15 general industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general industrial engineering degree recipients from Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies generally make around $77,456. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in general industrial engineering from Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies

23

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #23 for general industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 general industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Youngstown State University in the most recent data year. General Industrial Engineering graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $69,202 early in their careers. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full general industrial engineering program report for Youngstown State University