2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Industrial Engineering
An online master's in industrial engineering teaches students to design, manage, and maintain production processes. This area of study is all about combining the efficiencies of equipment, data, and people. Since these processes take place on a large industrial scale, students need to understand a variety of components — including supply chain analytics, stochastic processes, quality control, and optimization modeling. Graduates often find work in product manufacturing for a variety of industries, including automotive and aerospace.
Alternatively, you can explore our list for a similar degree choice: the most budget-friendly master's degrees in civil engineering. You can also check out our overall list of the most affordable online degrees for more inspiration. View our methodology for details about rankings or learn more about us.
| Rank | School | Locations | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State University | Las Cruces (NM) | $7,407 | |
| Kansas State University | Manhattan (KS) | $7,659 | |
| Mississippi State University | Mississippi State (MS) | $8,085 | |
| Northern Illinois University | Dekalb (IL) | $8,304 | |
| Oregon State University | Corvallis (OR) | $9,285 | |
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston (LA) | $9,950 | |
| Oklahoma State University - Main Campus | Stillwater (OK) | $9,957 | |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville (AL) | $9,990 | |
| University of Florida | Gainesville (FL) | $10,353 | |
| Texas A&M University - Kingsville | Kingsville (TX) | $10,966 |
New Mexico State University Las Cruces (NM) New Mexico State University (NMSU) is a public university offering an online Master of Science in Industrial Engineering that requires 30 credit hours. It's typical for students in similar degree programs to graduate in around two years while studying full time. Additionally, NMSU offers three concentrations for this degree: (1) Engineering Management, (2) Manufacturing, and (3) Operations Research. At NMSU, students use Canvas for their remote courses, which they can complete entirely online and on a flexible study schedule. This online master's program contains a thesis option or project option, where students must complete their own analytical or experimental investigation. There are additional sections on design and manufacturing and applied statistics, with required classes such as Evaluation of Engineering Data, Characterizing Time-Dependent Engineering Data, and Facilities Planning and Design.
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Kansas State University Manhattan (KS) Kansas State University (K-State) is a public institution with a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering requiring 30 credit hours. Students studying full time are likely to complete the degree in around two years. The core curriculum is designed to develop a student's understanding of efficiency in both manufacturing and business. K-State uses Canvas to deliver online coursework, and this software allows students to finish their degrees 100% online. However, all online students are required to visit campus at the end of the program for an oral examination. Required classes include Quality Engineering, Advanced Production and Inventory Control, and Methods of Operation Research. Electives are offered in various areas of industrial engineering, statistics, computer science, and electrical engineering. Career options for graduates may include roles like quality engineer, data analyst, and operations and operations research engineer.
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Mississippi State University Mississippi State (MS) Mississippi State University (MSU) is a public university offering a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Systems Engineering — with both thesis and non-thesis concentrations in Ergonomics, Data Analytics, Industrial Systems, Management Systems, Manufacturing Systems, and Operations Research. Concentrations may be changed at any time during the course of the program. This online degree requires 30 credit hours, which full-time students can earn in just two years. MSU students use Canvas as their primary learning management system, where they can complete all courses online. The curriculum for this program varies depending on the concentration, with required classes such as Engineering Statistics, Process Improvement Engineering, and Machine Learning with Industrial Engineering Applications. Career opportunities for alumni may include roles as industrial production manager, quality control systems manager, and industrial engineer.
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Northern Illinois University Dekalb (IL) Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public university that hosts a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering - Engineering Management. In order to complete this master's degree online, students must finish 30 credit hours, which typically takes at least two years. The curriculum features two specialization options: (1) Decision Analysis or (2) Global Logistics. In either track, students explore project management, process improvement, and risk management, among other subjects. Students at NIU can complete their coursework fully online through the digital platform Blackboard. There are a number of required courses, including Engineering Project Management, Economic Analysis of Engineering Projects, and Fundamentals of Financial Management. Students are also required to complete a graduate project. Typically, graduates seek employment as supply chain analysts, manufacturing technicians, and production supervisors.
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Oregon State University Corvallis (OR) Oregon State University (OSU) is a public institution that features a Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering - Engineering Management requiring 30 semester credit hours. The average completion time for this degree is around two years for full-time students taking two courses per term. This 100% remote program is designed for students seeking leadership roles in industrial engineering. At OSU, students use Canvas as their learning management system, where all program requirements can be completed online. The core curriculum explores important aspects of business, management, and finance, along with advanced engineering topics. Here are three examples of required courses: Project Management in Engineering, Introduction to Management for Engineers and Scientists, and Operations Management. Career opportunities include architecture and engineering managers, industrial production managers, and computer and information systems managers.
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