by our College Data Analytics Team
[Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College the best value for a degree in industrial engineering in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Erie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in industrial engineering will find it at Temple University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $54,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in industrial engineering will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $76,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lehigh University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $23,834. Soon after graduation, 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 list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
