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2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

14 Colleges in the United States
$23,183 Avg Student Debt
$59,031 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Badge [Industrial Engineering](/majors/engineering/ie-industrial-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 23 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value industrial engineering schools.

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2026 Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Industrial Engineering Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Kingsville the best value for a degree in industrial engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

2

Students looking for strong value in industrial engineering will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #2. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $15,552. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $45,467. That is a strong return on a $15,552 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for industrial engineering. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,860. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

4

Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $77,850. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

University Of Houston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,500. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,147. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $28,351 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $62,053. Set against $28,351 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,503 in student loans. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $76,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

8

University Of Arizona placed #8 among the best values for industrial engineering. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $72,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #9 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $69,486. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

10

Texas State University San Marcos placed #10 among the best values for industrial engineering. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $28,750. Industrial Engineering graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $61,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #11 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Industrial Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $72,397. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $21,275. Early-career industrial engineering graduates make about $57,819. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

13

Texas Tech University placed #13 among the best values for industrial engineering. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for industrial engineering graduates is $29,000. Industrial Engineering graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $71,545 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

14

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #14 spot for industrial engineering value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $19,708 to complete the industrial engineering program here. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $86,804. That is a strong return on a $19,708 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

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Notes and References

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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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