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Best Value Industrial Engineering Colleges in Illinois

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

Northwestern University commands a $27,143 net price while delivering $79,849 median earnings, creating the highest return despite premium costs. Public options like University of Illinois Chicago offer accessible entry points at $12,313 annually. Illinois industrial engineers benefit from the state's manufacturing backbone and Chicago's logistics networks, where supply chain optimization drives significant demand across automotive, aerospace, and food processing sectors.
6
Programs
$12,313 – $27,143
Net Price Range
$69,102
Avg. Program Earnings
69.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Industrial Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,201 $75,775 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
2 $12,313 $59,576 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
3 $12,909 $62,409 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
4 $27,143 $79,849 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
5 $23,572 $67,899 $39,680 72.1% 75.1%
6 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $67,273 earnings gap between the highest and lowest programs?

Northwestern University graduates earn $79,849 compared to $59,576 at University of Illinois Chicago, reflecting employer preferences and alumni networks. Northwestern's 7.21% acceptance rate creates scarcity value, while UIC's urban location provides manufacturing internships that may not translate to higher starting salaries.

How do Illinois public universities compare for industrial engineering value?

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers the strongest public option with $75,775 earnings and 84.90% graduation rates at $15,201 net cost. Northern Illinois University costs slightly less at $12,909 but produces $62,409 median earnings with only 49.60% completing degrees.

Does attending Northwestern justify the premium cost for industrial engineering?

Northwestern's $79,849 earnings potential offsets its $27,143 annual cost over a career, especially with only $18,000 average debt. The 95.90% graduation rate and connections to Chicago's finance and manufacturing sectors provide long-term value despite higher upfront investment.

More Industrial Engineering Rankings

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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.