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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Industrial Engineering Schools in Illinois

6 Colleges in the United States
447 Industrial Engineering Degrees Awarded
$73,129 Avg Early-Career Salary

Industrial Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best industrial engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Industrial Engineering in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall industrial engineering education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Industrial Engineering

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in industrial engineering. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 80 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $89,811 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,912. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for industrial engineering. 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. About 135 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $78,313. Typical student debt for the program is $22,330. More information about a degree in industrial engineering from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Edwardsville one of the top schools for industrial engineering. 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. About 75 industrial engineering degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Industrial Engineering graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $73,092 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,917 to complete this degree. See the full industrial engineering program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in industrial engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 67 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Industrial Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $57,281 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,247. See the full industrial engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Northern Illinois University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best industrial engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 66 industrial engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, industrial engineering degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $72,112. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Read more about the industrial engineering program at Northern Illinois University

6

Bradley University earned the #6 position for industrial engineering this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 industrial engineering students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their industrial engineering degree from Bradley University earn around $68,166 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,788. Get the full industrial engineering details for Bradley University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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