2026 Best Industrial Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for industrial engineering. 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 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Engineering graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $89,811 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,912. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 250 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $93,464 in the first couple years of their career. 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

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 164 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data 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. Get the full industrial engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in industrial engineering, ranking #4. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 366 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $81,379 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,427 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from 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 industrial engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 135 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $78,313 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,330 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 142 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Industrial Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $80,876 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,875. Get the full industrial engineering details for Ohio State University Main Campus

7

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University placed #7 among the best industrial engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Southfield. Lawrence Technological University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Lawrence Technological University generally make around $74,924. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Get the full industrial engineering details for Lawrence Technological University

8

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $73,092. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in 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 industrial engineering this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 67 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $57,281. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $22,247 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #10 position for industrial engineering this year. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. University Of Michigan Dearborn awarded about 49 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $62,536 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,516 to complete this degree. See the full industrial engineering program report for University Of Michigan Dearborn

11

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College placed #11 among the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Northcentral Technical College awarded about 13 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $41,696 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,709. See the full industrial engineering program report for Northcentral Technical College

12

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #12 spot for industrial engineering this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 52 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $77,815 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for Wayne State University

13

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #13 spot for industrial engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 66 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $72,112 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Get the full industrial engineering details for Northern Illinois University

14

Kettering University
Flint, MI

Kettering University landed the #14 spot for industrial engineering this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Flint. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 19 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Kettering University in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Kettering University earn around $85,105 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,913. Get the full industrial engineering details for Kettering University

15

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University placed #15 among the best industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Western Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $74,670. Typical student debt for the program is $27,981. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Western Michigan University

16

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #16 position for industrial engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bradley University awarded about 24 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $68,166 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for Bradley University

17

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $77,169. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Oakland University

18

Milwaukee School Of Engineering
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Of Engineering placed #18 among the best industrial engineering schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee School Of Engineering is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Milwaukee School Of Engineering in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Milwaukee School Of Engineering generally make around $71,112. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full industrial engineering program report for Milwaukee School Of Engineering

19

University Of Wisconsin Platteville
Platteville, WI

University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #19 for industrial engineering this year. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 24 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Platteville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the industrial engineering program make about $76,952 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,694 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Platteville

20

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for industrial engineering this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $70,199. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Ohio University Main Campus

21

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #21 among the best industrial engineering schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn around $68,673 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,536 to complete this degree. Get the full industrial engineering details for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

22

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

Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies landed the #22 spot for industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies in the most recent year. Industrial Engineering graduates of Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies earn a median of $77,456 early in their careers. Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies graduates carry a median of $32,750 in student loans. Get the full industrial engineering details for Indiana Institute Of Technology College Of Professional Studies

23

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #23 for industrial engineering this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Youngstown State University awarded about 15 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $69,202. Youngstown State University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full industrial engineering program report for Youngstown State University