In this ranking, we profile the top 25 most affordable master’s in industrial engineering online programs.
Industrial engineering covers a wide range of processes, including health services and systems engineering. Earning a master’s in industrial engineering will equip you for working to maximize production, eliminate excess waste, and streamline business practices and efficiencies. Industrial engineering careers offer competitive salaries and a favorable job outlook. We researched various industrial engineering programs to find the 25 most affordable master’s in industrial engineering online programs offered from accredited colleges and universities.
Top 25 Masters in Industrial Engineering Online Programs Methodology
We looked at approximately 68 colleges and universities listed by the Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) College Navigator that offered master’s in industrial engineering online programs, or closely related degrees. We narrowed our original pool of colleges and universities by applying the following criteria: accreditation, online options for competing an industrial engineering master’s degree (or closely related discipline), and program and/or institution rankings with at least one major publication such as U.S. News and World Report. We then listed the top 25 programs according to raw affordability.
Below are the results of the top 25 most affordable master’s in industrial engineering online programs.
#25 – Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Online Master’s in Systems Engineering
Worcester, Massachusetts
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $27,294
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers a degree in systems engineering, which is similar to a master’s in industrial engineering online. The program takes a comprehensive look at engineering and project management and how to guide an entire engineering project to develop a system that will meet the needs of the client and its stakeholders. The 30-credit program does not require a thesis and includes core classes such as concepts of systems engineering, risk management and decision making, system architecture and design, and systems integration verification and validation. The institution ranks #64 in national universities and #70 in best value by U.S. News and World Report.
#24 – Western New England University
Online Master’s in Industrial Engineering
Springfield, Massachusetts
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $24,318
Western New England University provides working professionals with an accelerated master’s in industrial engineering online that can be completed in just one year attending full-time or 15 months attending part-time. The program helps students develop skills in optimization, systems, cost analysis, and more. Students in the program come from a wide variety of engineering backgrounds. And because Western New England ranks #218 in best national universities and #75 in undergraduate engineering by U.S. News and World Report, students can rest assured they are receiving a quality education. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s in engineering, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
#23 – Pennsylvania State University
Online Master’s in Systems Engineering
University Park, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $22,578
Penn State University World Campus offers an online master’s in industrial engineering that focuses on systems engineering. The program welcomes engineering professionals of all backgrounds that would benefit from an in-depth understanding of how to improve systems and processes through engineering principles and design. And because the degree is 100% online, there is no need for students to interrupt their current careers. Courses may include creativity and problem solving, decision and risk analysis in engineering, simulation in systems engineering, discrete-time systems, and systems verification validation and testing. Penn State University World Campus ranks #4 in best online graduate engineering programs by U.S. News and World Report.
#22 – Lawrence Technological University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Southfield, Michigan
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $20,406
Ranking #43 in regional universities Midwest and #60 in best value schools, Lawrence Technological University offers a quality online master’s in industrial engineering preparing graduates for top leadership positions in the engineering field. And with a completion time of just 18 months, students can graduate quickly and add the degree to their credentials. Courses include advanced optimization techniques, applied stochastic processes, design for reliability, and product development and sustainability. Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, science, or some other technical discipline along with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Further application requirements include transcripts, resume, one letter of recommendation, and statement of purpose.
#21 – University of Illinois
Online Master’s in Industrial Engineering
Champaign, Illinois
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,126
The University of Illinois ranks highly among its peers coming in at #48 in national universities, #14 in top public schools, and #126 in best value schools. These rankings indicate students matriculating to the master’s in industrial engineering online receive an excellent education that holds value. The program includes courses such as algorithms for data analytics, analysis of network data, applied nonlinear programming, and big graphs and social networks. The program offers a non-thesis pathway consisting of 32-course credits and four hours of independent study. Graduates go on to land top leadership jobs across several industries applying the knowledge and skills they acquired while in the program.
#20 – Georgia Institute of Technology
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Atlanta, Georgia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,798
Ranked #29 in national universities and #5 in top public schools by U.S. News and World Report, Georgia Tech offers students an online master’s in industrial engineering considered one of the best and most affordable in the country. Students need to complete 30 credits to finish the degree that is housed within the prestigious H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Applicants need to have an undergraduate bachelor of science, GRE test scores, and credible letters of reference. While there are no minimum GPA, test score requirements, or work experience requirements, students with high marks and work experience in the field are looked at favorably.
#19 – George Mason University
Online Master’s in Systems Engineering
Fairfax, Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,138
George Mason University is a well-respected institution as evidenced by its rankings by U.S. News and World Report. The school rates #153 in national universities, #135 in best value schools, and #72 in top public schools for the 2020 rankings. The high rankings indicate students who are accepted and matriculate, will receive a great education from one of the best online industrial engineering programs in the country. The program is designed for those seeking leadership in engineering positions that work on a broad range of issues including analysis, system design, and implementation across a variety of industries. Courses may include decision and risk analysis, decision support systems engineering, and discrete event systems. In addition to course rigor, all classes are delivered online to give students the maximum flexibility they need to continue their careers while working towards a graduate degree.
#18 – Oregon State University
Online Master’s in Engineering Management
Corvallis, Oregon
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,331
Oregon State University offers one of the top value online industrial engineering programs designed for individuals with a background in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Obtaining the degree will prepare graduates for management engineering positions across a variety of industries where technical leadership and planning are important aspects of the job. In addition to advanced engineering concepts, students learn knowledge and applied theory in financial management, leadership, and business, all within the context of an engineering career. The combined engineering and business curriculum is what makes it unique to a general MBA. Oregon State ranks #139 in national universities, #138 in best value, and #64 in top public schools by U.S. News and World Report.
#17 – Binghamton University
Online Master’s in Engineering, Industrial and Systems
Vestal, New York
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,194
Binghamton University provides working professionals with a quality online master’s in industrial engineering that emphasizes the use of applied statistics, modeling, and enterprise systems planning to prepare students for engineering leadership and management positions. Additionally, students can earn a certificate in health care systems. Admission requirements include bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, resume, two letters of recommendation, and official GRE scores. Admission decisions are determined by a holistic process where an applicant’s entire file is taken into consideration. Binghamton University is ranked #79 in national universities, #52 in best value schools, and #31 in top public schools according to U.S. News and World Report.
#16 – University of Arizona
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Tucson, Arizona
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,044
Through its College of Engineering, the University of Arizona offers a master’s in industrial engineering online designed for working professionals to learn advanced engineering planning and design skills and theory needed to create and integrate systems across a variety of industries. Additionally, students learn business fundamentals within the context of the engineering discipline. Courses include advanced concepts in systems engineering, advanced quality engineering, advanced reliability engineering, distributed multi-paradigm simulation systems, and integer and combinatorial optimization. The institution is ranked #117 in national universities and #131 in best value schools by U.S. News and World Report for its 2020 cohort of institutions.
#15 – University of Michigan
Online Master’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Dearborn, Michigan
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,920
The University of Michigan offers an online master’s in industrial engineering from its College of Engineering and Computer Science. The program can be completed in a hybrid or fully online format. The University of Michigan: Dearborn is ranked #33 in regional universities Midwest and #4 in top public schools by U.S. News and World Report giving students the confidence they are receiving an excellent online education. Students are required to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, a physical science, computer science, or applied math. No GRE test scores are required as part of the application. Required courses will include design and analysis of experiments, human factors and ergonomics, and production and operations engineering.
#14 – Colorado State University
Online Master’s in Systems Engineering
Fort Collins, Colorado
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,495
Colorado State University has one of the top online industrial engineering programs of its kind. The program focuses on both systems engineering and business solutions within the context of design development and integration. The overarching mission of the program is to help students develop a systems thinking mindset where they can develop business and engineering solutions that improve flow and efficiency across economic sectors. Examples of systems students work with may include aircraft manufacturing, cities, and electrical smart grids. Courses may include advanced IT project management, energy conversion for electrical power systems, foundations of systems engineering, and overview of systems engineering processes.
#13 – Arizona State University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Tempe, Arizona
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,134
Arizona State University offers a master’s in industrial engineering online that is currently ranked #9 in best online graduate engineering degrees by U.S. News and World Report for its 2020 list. Additionally, the institution ranks #8 in best online graduate engineering programs for veterans. The program’s goal is to impart the ability of its students to solve complex systems problems that arise within organizations. Students learn to research, develop, integrate, and analyze plausible solutions through engaging with course content and networking with fellow students and professors. Courses may include applied deterministic operations research, applied stochastic operations research models, information systems engineering, and web-enabled decision support systems.
#12 – North Carolina State University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Raleigh, North Carolina
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,495
Ranking 84th in national universities and 69th in top value schools by U.S. News and World Report, North Carolina State University offers one of the top online master’s in industrial engineering where students learn how to improve systems. The degree is designed for the working professional and is therefore practitioner-based where the curriculum focuses on utility in the workplace. As such, no oral exam or thesis is required. Students should have an undergraduate degree in engineering, behavioral or physical sciences or mathematics. The 33-credit degree includes courses such as Bayesian decision analysis for engineers and managers, capital investment economic analysis, human factors in systems design, and multi-attribute decision analysis.
#11 – Missouri University of Science and Technology
Online Master’s in Systems Engineering
Rolla, Missouri
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,372
Missouri University of Science and Technology offers one of the most affordable online industrial engineering programs in the country. In addition to the core curriculum, students can choose from a variety of concentrations including model based engineering, complex adaptive systems, risk modeling and assessment, and many more. The concentrations add to the already existing depth of the degree and allow the student to hone in on a specialty area related to their personal interest and career trajectory. Missouri S&T is ranked #179 in national universities and #89 top value schools by U.S. News and World Report. Admission requirements include bachelor’s degree in engineering or related discipline, 3.0 minimum GPA, GRE-V of at least 155, and GRE-Q of at least 148.
#10 – Auburn University
Online Master’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Auburn, Alabama
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,282
Auburn University provides working professionals a master’s in industrial engineering online for individuals with a background in engineering. Because of the academic rigor of this fully online program, students are expected to have proficiency across a broad spectrum of courses such as calculus I-III, differential equations, linear algebra, probability and statistics, and multiple engineering courses. Applicants with a minimum 2.75 GPA from an ABET-accredited program are exempt from submitting GRE scores. Students not meeting this requirement are required to submit GRE test scores no older than five years. U.S. News and World Report ranks Auburn University #104 in national universities and #164 in top value schools.
#9 – Clemson University
Online Master’s in Industrial Engineering
Clemson, South Carolina
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,602
Clemson University’s online master’s in industrial engineering was designed for full-time working individuals seeking course rigor and flexibility. The degree focuses on making improvements and innovations to supply chains across different industries such as manufacturing, health care, tourism, construction, education, and more. The program blends theory and praxis allowing students to apply what they learn to their current occupations. And because Clemson University is ranked #70 in national universities and #45 in best online graduate engineering programs, students can rest assured they are receiving top value for their education. Admission requires bachelor’s degree, relevant industry experience of three years minimum, letter of recommendation, mathematical background, and unofficial transcripts.
#8 – Iowa State University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Ames, Iowa
Website
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,504
Ranking #121 in national universities and #101 in top value schools by U.S. News and World Report, Iowa State University provides working professionals with one of the most rigorous and flexible online industrial engineering programs of its kind. The program is designed with industry professionals in mind, which means the curriculum is relevant and up to date with current industry trends and standards. Course requirements may include computer aided design and manufacturing, design and analysis of allocation mechanisms, design and evaluation of human computer interaction, and inventory control and production planning. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or its equivalent.
#7 – Purdue University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
West Lafayette, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,992
Purdue University provides working professionals with an online master’s in industrial engineering from the 57th ranked national university and 9th ranked engineering school according to U.S. News and World Report. The School of Industrial Engineering administers the degree with classes taught by the same faculty that teach on-campus courses. The thesis-base industrial engineering master’s is not available online, online students must choose the non-thesis program. Courses may include human factors engineering, manufacturing systems engineering, and production systems engineering. Students can transfer up to 12 credits from other institutions upon approval from Purdue admissions.
#6 – Texas A & M University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
College Station, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,812
Texas A&M University offers one of the most affordable online industrial engineering programs designed for industrial engineers seeking additional education to increase job performance and career trajectory. The 30-credit program ends with a terminal degree that is practitioner-oriented to provide students with real world skills they will need on the job to succeed. Courses may include data analytics models and tools, logistics and inventory control, optimization models and tools, and simulation models and tools. And because Texas A&M is ranked #70 in national universities and #15 in engineering by U.S. News and World Report, students will receive an outstanding education.
#5 – University of Central Florida
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Orlando, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,872
The University of Central Florida, ranked #166 in national universities and #83 in undergraduate engineering according to U.S. News and World Report, offers a master’s in industrial engineering online consisting of just 30-credits. The program teaches students to improve effectiveness and efficiency in the industrial engineering field. Graduates are able to qualify for top leadership and management positions in several different industries including health care, manufacturing, information technology, and more. Students go on to careers as engineering managers, quality control managers, project managers, and chief quality control officers. The focus areas of the degree include human systems and ergonomics, interactive simulation and training, operations research, quality systems engineering, simulation modeling and analysis, and systems engineering.
#4 – Mississippi State University
Online Master’s in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Mississippi State, Mississippi
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,650
Through its James Worth Bagley College of Engineering, Mississippi State University offers working individuals with one of the most affordable online industrial engineering programs based on its quality curriculum and affordable tuition rates. The industrial systems program allows students to specialize in human factors and ergonomics, industrial systems, management systems engineering, manufacturing systems, and operations research. Graduates are able to qualify for top engineering positions where system design and integration are important aspects of the occupation. Additionally, students learn how to improve efficiency and productivity across different organizations in health care, manufacturing, logistics, retail, and more. Mississippi State University ranks #211 in national universities by U.S. News and World Report.
#3 – Texas Tech University
Masters in Industrial Engineering Online
Lubbock, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,015
Texas Tech University provides students with one of the top value online industrial engineering programs coming in at third on our list of 25 most affordable master’s in industrial engineering online programs. U.S. News and World Report ranks Texas Tech #218 in national universities and #105 in top public schools, which gives students the opportunity to earn a fully online graduate degree from a leading institution. Housed within the Department of Industrial Engineering, students can specialize in one of five areas such as engineering management, ergonomics and human factors, manufacturing and quality assurance, operations research, and statistics and quality assurance.
#2 – Kennesaw State University
Online Master’s in Systems Engineering
Kennesaw, Georgia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,226
Kennesaw State University’s online master’s in industrial engineering is completely offered online and gives students the opportunity to earn a graduate degree from an accredited institution. Students are required to have a bachelor’s of science in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, physical science, or another technical major. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required as are minimum GRE scores of 150 verbal and 148 quantitative. Course requirements include human factors in quality assurance, logistics and supply chain management, manufacturing and warehousing systems, and statistics for quality assurance. U.S. News and World Report ranks Kennesaw State University #293 in national universities and #72 in most innovative schools.
#1 – New Mexico State University
Online Master’s in Industrial Engineering
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,427
New Mexico State University’s master’s in industrial engineering online are for students who want a 100% online degree with no campus residency requirement. The 30-credit program is typically finished in just two years that teaches students the knowledge and skills to solve complex problems in a variety of organizational contexts. Students learn foundational engineering fundamentals as well as industrial systems design, integration, and analysis. Moreover, students learn how to come together in multidisciplinary teams to effectively communicate and solve problems with innovative solutions. And because New Mexico State is ranked #263 by U.S. News and World Report, students will be confident they are earning a graduate degree from a top institution.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with a masters in industrial engineering online degree?
Individuals with a master’s in industrial engineering online have several career options afforded to them based on their unique skill and high demand field. Individuals with a graduate degree can work directly in the field or may pursue management positions. The main objective for an industrial engineer is to design and integrate efficient work systems that integrate personnel, machines, materials, and technology in an effort to deliver a product or service. Because efficiency is such an integral part of business, industrial engineers have career opportunities in virtually any sector.
The largest contingency of industrial engineers, sometimes referred to as manufacturing engineers, work in transportation equipment manufacturing followed by computer and electronic manufacturing and technical services. Industrial engineers often work in different environments including an office and directly in the field. For example, an engineer may spend time observing workers in an auto manufacturing plant followed by planning sessions in an office. Industrial engineering managers work in various environments as well but spend the majority of their time coordinating and managing the entire project.
The degree’s versatility allows graduates to work in several industries including manufacturing, health care, information technology, government, and non-profit. Many degree programs allow students to specialize in a specific industry.
How much money can I earn with a master’s in industrial engineering online degree?
The overall salaries of engineering personnel are lucrative, especially when compared to most other occupations. Individuals with a master’s in engineering online can expect to earn top level pay according to our research taken from the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
According to the BLS, the median pay for architectural and industrial engineering managers is $140,760 per year. This annual salary is more than 3.5 times the average salary of all occupations, which is $38,640. The highest 10% in the industry earn $208,000 while the lowest 10% make $89,620 annually.
When looking at specific industries, the data shows industrial engineering managers working in the scientific and development services earn the highest median wage of $162,880. The focus in innovation and research drives the increased salaries compared to other sectors.
Non-management industrial engineers earn attractive wages equating to $41.87 per hour. The hourly wage when extrapolated to an annual salary amounts to $87,040 per year, which is more than twice the average salary of all other occupations ($38,640). As with engineering managers, industrial engineers working in the professional and technical services sector earn the highest wages with an average annual salary of $94,870 followed by computer and technical manufacturing industrial engineers that earn $93,760.
What is the job outlook for a master’s in industrial engineering online degree?
The employment outlook for individuals with a master’s in industrial engineering is projected to grow by 3% during the ten-year period of 2018-2028. When dis-aggregating the data, the numbers show some sectors are expected to increase at a pace faster than the overall economy while other sectors are expected to experience an economic slow down causing employment retraction.
For example, architectural and industrial engineering manager positions within the engineering services industry are expected to increase by 7%. The growth is expected to be driven by increased demand for managers overseeing civil engineering projects to improve and replace the nation’s aging infrastructure. Contrast that with the manufacturing industry where management positions are expected to decrease by 3% over the same ten-year period.
Non-management industrial engineering positions are projected to increase by an overall mark of 8%. Because industrial engineering is not as specialized as some other engineering occupations, workers are able to find positions across a wide swath of industries such as manufacturing, consulting, information technology, wholesale, research and development, and more. Additionally, as the health care industry continues to experience rapid change in how it delivers services, industrial engineers will be needed to design and integrate efficient delivery systems to stakeholders.
What are the admission requirements for master’s in industrial engineering online programs?
The admission requirements for a master’s in industrial engineering vary according to the type of program and institution. Additionally, whether a program is designed for experienced or potential industrial engineers can impact admission requirements.
The majority of online master’s in industrial engineering programs require a rigorous set of science and mathematics courses. Typically, students meet the requirements through a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related academic degree. In fact, most programs require students to have one of the above-mentioned bachelor’s degrees.
Programs that integrate business management courses also want students to have taken foundational business classes such as finance, management, accounting, finance, and economics.
Because of the technical nature of an online master’s in industrial engineering degree, many programs will require students to submit standardized test scores such as the GRE. Top-tier programs not only require test scores be submitted, but they typically admit students with scores at least in the 75th percentile. Lower ranked programs either do not require students to submit test scores or provide a waiver if students have a minimum of two years experience.
Aside from test scores and undergraduate degree requirements, programs can differ in terms of work experience requirements. Programs with a management emphasis require students to have between 3-5 years of experience or more.
How long does it take to earn a master’s in industrial engineering online degree?
As with other online graduate degree programs, the timeline to completion can vary significantly based upon institutional factors and student goals. The typical timeline to complete ranges from 2-3 years. It is important for the students to understand course scheduling and enrollment management as course loads may vary greatly between programs that have similar time frames. For example, some degrees that can be finished in 2-3 years may require students to attend full-time by taking multiple courses at the same time. Because online students often have to juggle work and family obligations in addition to school, it is likely they will not be able to accommodate a full-time course load and will take longer to complete. Conversely, some programs are structured where students can take a full-time course load (typically six credits or more) yet never have to take more than one course at a time. These programs provide students the option of taking two 8-week courses over the duration of a 16-week semester.
While the vast majority of online engineering master’s degrees programs fall within the 2-3 year range, there are accelerated programs that can be completed in just 12-18 months. These programs will require students to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and be able to take multiple courses at once.
It should also be noted that programs give students a maximum time frame to completion. Most programs allow between 5-10 years to complete upon matriculation.
BCO Staff
October 2019
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This concludes our list of the top 25 most affordable master’s in industrial engineering online programs.