Best Industrial Engineering colleges in the U.S. 2025

Northwestern University’s industrial engineering program prepares students that plan on pursuing a career as an industrial electrician, designer, or even a permit specialist. This program includes courses in physics, building materials, and architectural design, along with general education requirements at the undergraduate level. Classes are available both in-person and remote, though some labs may include hands-on work with programs like Autocad and professional internships at an engineering firm in the Chicago metro. Students at Northwestern typically develop a portfolio of their work to be used when applying for professional roles post-graduation.

The industrial engineering program at Johns Hopkins University provides a strong foundation for undergraduate students that want to become involved in designing and constructing buildings, maritime vessels, and public works projects like dams and levees. Students interested in exploring this track learn skills like assessing architectural drawings and determining what is needed to achieve compliance for a local or federal building permit. It is common for undergraduates to complete an on or off-campus internship during their junior or senior year, which helps many students develop their portfolios and apply to competitive roles after graduation.

For students interested in pursuing an industrial engineering degree in New York City, Columbia University offers a competitive industrial engineering track with professional observation opportunities at engineering firms in the New York metro area. Undergraduates are advised to apply to internships during their degree program and in summer breaks to gain hands-on experience that will be invaluable when they apply for professional roles post-graduation.

The University of Southern California (USC) has an industrial engineering degree program that emphasizes courses in physics and design and is organized to prepare students for professional roles immediately upon completion of their bachelor’s degree. This program is structured to be completed in four years and provides students a range of local internship opportunities and seminars to further their understanding of industrial design and ability to develop their designs in industry-specific computer programs like Autocad and REVIT.

Georgia Tech’s industrial engineering program is structured to prepare students interested in pursuing a career designing and engineering anything from buildings to cars, and even airplanes. Applicants should note that lab instruction and professional internship experience are critical to this major and that graduates typically enter the workforce immediately after graduation if they don’t plan on pursuing a master’s program. Students in this program can expect ample job opportunities in metro Atlanta, and access to a large alumni network that will help when pursuing full-time employment.

UT Austin offers a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering for students in Texas that have an interest in industrial design. The program’s curriculum includes a combination of physics and architectural design, and students are recommended to declare before the end of their freshman year to complete the program in four years. Graduates should be aware UT Austin has a large network locally to assist recent graduates in post-graduation job placement.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s industrial engineering program is a top school in the midwest for students interested in pursuing professional opportunities in the field of engineering. Their program fosters professional growth for those interested in designing bridges, roadways, and skyscrapers. Students should expect a rigorous workload, extensive lab-time, and professional internships to further their experience and understanding of the design process from schematic design to construction.

For Texas residents with aspirations of pursuing a degree in Industrial Design, Texas A&M offers a four-year program designed to prepare students for jobs in the field of industrial design after graduation. Students are advised to take classes in physics and building science, as well as in-person labs to gain experience using design programs like BlueBeam and AutoCad that are critical to the overall design process.