Compare 6 Industrial Engineering. programs in Illinois. Average earnings: $84,878.
The highest-earning Industrial Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $34K earnings gap across 6 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Northwestern University's Industrial Engineering program leads with graduates earning $107,105, well above the $84,878 average across Illinois programs. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign follows at $95,066, proving that state schools compete directly with elite private institutions in engineering outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Northwestern graduates borrow $15,000 and face just a 2.4% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making the program both top-performing and affordable.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $107,105 | 87 | $15,000 | Excellent | $26,966 | Excellent |
| #2 | $95,066 | 68 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Good | |
| #3 | Bradley UniversityPrivate | $82,984 | 12 | $27,000 | Excellent | $41,405 | Manageable |
| #4 | $76,872 | 23 | $22,162 | Excellent | $19,508 | Good | |
| #5 | $74,149 | 24 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Good | |
| #6 | $73,092 | 27 | $20,500 | Excellent | $21,500 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
