Affordable Master’s in Industrial Engineering

Seeking to advance your engineering career without going broke? As automation, quality control, and systems optimization become increasingly critical in manufacturing and operations roles, companies are looking to hire talented industrial engineers. 

We’ve identified the most economical online master’s programs in industrial engineering across the country, allowing working engineers to upskill their way to more complex leadership roles on the plant floor and in supply chain management.

Affordable Master’s in Industrial Engineering Degrees

Here are some less expensive master’s in industrial engineering programs from different universities that will help you keep your college expenses low. 

Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University offers a master’s in industrial and systems engineering at a reasonable annual tuition of $16,900. It requires 30 credit hours for completion, which can take around two years. The curriculum of this program has two specialization options, including Global Logistics and Decision Analysis. 

Students can also consider leveraging the online program and pursue a degree from anywhere. You will study different courses related to process improvement, risk management, economic analysis of engineering projects, fundamentals of financial management, and project management. 

With this degree, you can pursue a career as a production supervisor, supply chain analyst, or manufacturing technician.

Kansas State University

Another university that offers a less expensive industrial engineering master’s degree is Kansas State University. It is a public institution, and this program requires 30 credit hours. The main objective of the curriculum is to provide students with an understanding of business and manufacturing. The annual tuition of the program is $10,448. 

Most courses are related to advanced production, inventory control, operation research, and quality engineering. Students can also take elective courses related to different areas, including statistics, electrical engineering, and computer science programs. 

Earning this degree can make you eligible for positions like operations research engineer, data analyst, and quality engineer. 

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida offers this master’s program at an annual tuition of $8,837. Their program aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the industrial engineering field. It enables students to qualify for top-level positions in different industries, including IT, healthcare, and manufacturing. 

You can apply for positions like quality control managers, project managers, and engineering managers. The program focuses on different core areas, including simulation modeling, quality systems engineering, human systems and ergonomics, and systems engineering. 

Purdue University

Purdue University offers a master’s in industrial engineering program at an annual tuition of $9,718. It is a 9th-ranked engineering school that also provides a cost-efficient option for students. Consider their distance learning program if you work full-time and want to balance your academic and professional life. 

The faculty for on-campus and online programs are the same. The courses in the degree are related to production systems engineering, human factors engineering, and manufacturing systems. You can also transfer 12 credits from other institutions; however, it depends on approval from the admission committee. 

New Mexico State University

The online master’s in industrial engineering program of New Mexico State University is the cheapest degree option on our list, with an annual tuition of $5,778. It is a 30-credit degree that you can complete in around two years. 

Courses in this program help students learn the engineering fundamentals of industrial systems integration, analysis, and design. Furthermore, it helps students enhance problem-solving skills and learn about the latest innovative solutions to excel in the industry. 

Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a top-value master’s program in industrial engineering with an annual tuition of $12,752. It is one of the leading institutions in Texas, has good rankings, and offers quality and affordable education. 

The industrial engineering department offers students specialization options in different areas. It includes ergonomics, operations research, quality assurance, and engineering management, so you can choose any option that suits your interests.

Clemson University

The online master’s in industrial engineering program at Clemson University is one of the most affordable options, with an annual tuition of $6,611. It can be perfect for individuals with a limited budget and full-time workers seeking flexibility to manage their daily schedules.

The program courses aim to improve supply chains across different industries like construction, healthcare, and tourism. The combination of praxis and theory prepares students to effectively apply what they learn after graduating. 

Colorado State University

Colorado State University offers a value-driven online master’s program in industrial engineering at an annual tuition of $13,967. The curriculum aims to make students aware of systems engineering and help them develop skills to create engineering and business solutions. 

The program aims to prepare professionals who can positively contribute to improving efficiency across economic sectors. Most courses are related to energy conversion, foundations of systems engineering, and electrical power systems. 

Auburn University

Auburn University offers this master’s program with an annual tuition of $11,392. Students with an engineering background and proficiency in courses like linear algebra, differential equations, statistics, and other engineering courses are given priority over others. 

Candidates with a 2.75 GPA from an ABET-accredited program can be exempt from providing a GRE score. If you do not meet this requirement, you must submit a valid GRE score.

University of Arizona

The University of Arizona offers an affordable and high-quality online master’s in industrial engineering program at an annual tuition of $14,900. 

The degree focuses on design skills, relevant theory, and engineering planning that is required to build and integrate systems in various industries. It helps students learn about fundamental business principles of engineering discipline.

Also, the courses teach advanced concepts of quality engineering, reliability engineering, and simulation systems.

Binghamton University

Binghamton University offers an online and cost-effective master’s degree in industrial engineering at an annual tuition of $13,374. The degree focuses on relevant core areas, including enterprise systems planning, modeling, and applied statistics. 

The program’s primary purpose is to prepare students for top-level engineering and managerial positions. 

You must have an accredited industrial engineering bachelor’s degree, valid GRE scores, and two letters of recommendation to apply. The admission committee makes a final decision by thoroughly analyzing the applicant’s file. 

Skills Required to Be an Industrial Engineer

You must develop the following critical industrial engineer skills required to succeed and attain leadership positions in the industry. 

• Project management 
• Data analysis
• Capacity analysis
• Quality control
• Lean manufacturing
• Ability to design new production systems
• Project planning
• Communication

Top Careers to Pursue as an Industrial Engineer

While pursuing a master’s degree in industrial engineering, you must know about the top careers along with their pay scales. It will help you make the right decisions in your professional career. Here are our top picks.

Manufacturing Engineer

• Manufacturing engineers ensure efficient manufacturing procedures at plants and factories.
• They monitor the production process by using relevant software to create new systems to boost productivity.
• The average annual salary of a manufacturing engineer is $87,487.

Quality Engineer

• Quality engineers ensure product quality in manufacturing plants and factories. 
• They maintain logs to keep track of the progress of procedures and new policies.
• The average annual salary of a quality engineer is $83,285. 

Supply Chain Analyst

• Supply chain analysts use data and reports at each phase of the supply chain.
• They assess data to check whether current transportation and manufacturing standards are working fine together.
• They use their data findings to identify the best ways to improve the supply chain process.
• The average annual salary of a supply chain analyst is $74,640. 

Process Engineer

• Process engineers oversee the existing workflows and procedures.
• They create reports to keep track of process status.
• They optimize productivity by testing and designing new procedures.
• The average annual salary of a processor engineer is $91,914. 

Related Questions

Here are some common questions most students opting for a master’s in industrial engineering degree have. 

How Much Does It Cost to Study MS in Industrial Engineering in the US?

The average tuition fees for an MS in industrial engineering range from $27,300 to $42,000 annually. However, the cost of a master’s program depends on the modality of the program, your location, and the university’s fee structure. You must consider these factors before applying for the master’s in industrial engineering program. 

Which Country Is Best for a Master’s in Industrial Engineering?

The best countries that you can consider for a master’s in industrial engineering degree are Germany, the United States of America, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Italy, and Switzerland. These countries have the best universities that offer quality programs and affordable tuition. So, pursuing a degree from any of these countries can make a valuable addition to your professional profile. 

What Is the Future Scope of Industrial Engineering?

The future scope of industrial engineering in the supply chain realm is promising. The growing complexity of global markets is increasing the need for specialized industrial engineers in the supply chain who can positively contribute to the industry.

Conclusion

This guide will help you choose the affordable master’s program in industrial engineering according to your budget. Earning this master’s degree can open the gate to rewarding career opportunities. Furthermore, it is also essential to nurture relevant skills and qualities that can increase your professional worth as a competent industrial engineer.