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Best Value Industrial Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Georgia Tech delivers the strongest graduation rate at 92.3% among Industrial Engineering programs under $15,201, while University of Connecticut's regional campuses offer the highest earning potential at $82,440 annually. The $73,544 gap between the lowest and highest post-graduation earnings reflects varying regional job markets and industry connections. Industrial Engineering graduates find particularly strong opportunities in the Southeast and Northeast corridors, where manufacturing automation and supply chain optimization drive demand. Florida State University stands out with strong selectivity at 25.04% acceptance rate while maintaining a net cost of just $10,997. The University of Michigan rounds out the elite tier with 93.2% graduation rates, though costs climb to $14,832. Regional campuses within the University of Connecticut system provide multiple entry points, each maintaining the same $82,440 earning potential despite acceptance rates above 92%. North Carolina A&T offers the most affordable in-state option at $6,748, serving the Research Triangle's growing manufacturing sector.
50
Programs
$8,783 – $22,886
Net Price Range
$68,959
Avg. Program Earnings
67.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Industrial Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,896 $82,440 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
2 $11,504 $82,440 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
3 $10,997 $71,643 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
4 $13,339 $82,440 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
5 $10,980 $66,541 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
6 $11,877 $71,957 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
7 $14,059 $82,440 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
8 $11,580 $67,287 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
9 $13,289 $76,283 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
10 $10,043 $57,318 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
11 $13,853 $73,530 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
12 $10,650 $55,964 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
13 $14,773 $77,401 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
14 $12,997 $68,047 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
15 $14,832 $77,235 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
16 $13,945 $70,057 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
17 $15,201 $75,775 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
18 $13,485 $66,189 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
19 $13,670 $66,821 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
20 $12,313 $59,576 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
21 $12,909 $62,409 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
22 $15,624 $73,562 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
23 $15,015 $69,338 $8,118 41.6% 85.4%
24 $13,776 $63,005 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
25 $10,726 $48,823 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
26 $14,754 $66,701 $8,315 61.5% 85.4%
27 $15,501 $69,710 $9,815 62.9% 75.2%
28 $13,741 $61,020 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
29 $8,783 $38,829 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
30 $15,235 $67,202 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
31 $16,928 $72,895 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
32 $16,931 $70,253 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
33 $18,292 $75,667 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
34 $17,525 $71,854 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
35 $17,413 $70,176 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
36 $16,438 $65,557 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
37 $16,177 $64,196 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
38 $17,139 $67,846 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
39 $17,883 $70,456 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
40 $18,109 $69,338 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
41 $17,722 $67,420 $12,594 51.2% 79.0%
42 $18,165 $68,101 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
43 $18,701 $69,338 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
44 $20,015 $73,949 $11,954 71.0% 75.7%
45 $16,334 $59,576 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
46 $19,086 $69,338 $9,900
47 $21,781 $79,081 $8,540 74.9% 80.3%
48 $22,886 $82,440 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
49 $16,496 $59,124 $19,022 73.1% 66.0%
50 $19,889 $69,338 $14,130 76.2% 79.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $30,000 difference in earnings between the highest and lowest programs?

University of Connecticut campuses lead with $82,440 average earnings while University of Central Florida graduates average $55,964. Regional job markets play a major role, with Connecticut's proximity to aerospace and defense contractors driving higher salaries. The manufacturing density and cost of living in each region also influences starting salary ranges for Industrial Engineering graduates.

How do acceptance rates correlate with program outcomes in Industrial Engineering?

Georgia Tech maintains just 17.13% acceptance but achieves 92.3% graduation rates, while University of Connecticut campuses accept over 92% of applicants yet maintain strong earnings at $82,440. This suggests that student support systems and regional job placement matter more than admission selectivity. Florida State balances both factors with 25.04% acceptance and $71,643 earnings.

Is attending a regional campus worth considering for Industrial Engineering?

University of Connecticut's regional campuses offer identical $82,440 earning potential at costs ranging from $8,896 to $14,059. The Waterbury campus provides the lowest net cost while maintaining 97.91% acceptance rates. These campuses often provide smaller class sizes and direct industry partnerships that can improve job placement outcomes.

Does graduation rate impact long-term earning potential in this field?

Programs with graduation rates above 75% show more consistent earnings, with Georgia Tech (92.3%) and University of Michigan (93.2%) both exceeding $76,000 in average salaries. However, University of Connecticut campuses achieve $82,440 earnings despite graduation rates between 56% and 65%. Industry demand for Industrial Engineers often compensates for varying completion rates.

Where can students find the best value combination of low cost and high earnings?

Florida State University delivers $71,643 earnings at just $10,997 net cost, creating a strong return on investment. University of South Florida offers even lower costs at $10,043 but earnings drop to $57,318. For maximum earning potential, University of Connecticut's Waterbury campus combines the lowest net cost at $8,896 with the highest earnings at $82,440.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.