Are you looking for the best online Industrial Engineering degree programs to pursue in 2024? Whether you’re a working professional or a student looking for a flexible learning option, plenty of top-notch online programs can help you achieve your career goals.
These programs typically offer a combination of coursework, lab simulations, and hands-on experience to help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the field.
From foundational courses in mathematics, statistics, and physics to more advanced topics like logistics, supply chain management, and quality control, an online Industrial Engineering degree can open up many exciting career opportunities in manufacturing, healthcare, energy, transportation, and many other industries.
So, if you’re ready to take your career to the next level, explore the best online Industrial Engineering degree programs available today!
List Of Accredited Online Industrial Engineering Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty University | 34,799 | $11,700 |
| University of Arizona | 5,539 | $11,800 |
| National University | 4,801 | $13,320 |
| Lamar University | 2,571 | $18,482 |
| Mississippi State University | 1,730 | $24,900 |
| PennWest California | 1,207 | $15,726 |
Best Online Industrial Engineering Degrees 2024
Liberty University
Online Enrollment
34,799
Annual Tuition
$11,700
Location
Lynchburg (VA)
Liberty University is a large private university. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering Technology online. Students learn how to create systems and processes for solving engineering problems. This major includes Electrical Systems, Facility Design, Six Sigma and Kaizen. It also has two theology courses and a capstone course. Graduates of this major have worked as industrial engineers and operations managers.
Why we like them: Students at LU use Canvas for their online, asynchronous coursework. Asynchronous online learning allows students to complete their assignments and access the course materials without regard to a fixed schedule. This format is flexible and can accommodate individuals with a variety of schedules.
University of Arizona
Online Enrollment
5,539
Annual Tuition
$11,800
Location
Tucson (AZ)
Students interested in industrial engineering can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Built Environments online at the University of Arizona. This degree is designed to teach environmentally friendly building practices by focusing on Sustainable Buildings and Sustainable Real Estate Development.
Students will explore the various aspects of sustainable industrial engineering in Introduction to Sustainability, Professional Communication, and Sustainable Design and Planning. Both concentrations include a capstone and an internship. Graduates can pursue careers as urban planners or renewable energy system designers.
Why we like them: Students have mentioned that UA’s Sustainable Built Environments degree program encourages collaborative learning, allowing students to interact with their classmates and gain knowledge from different perspectives. This approach enriches the educational experience and the teamwork required for real-world sustainable design and construction.
National University
Online Enrollment
4,801
Annual Tuition
$13,320
Location
La Jolla (CA)
National University (NU) students can pursue an online bachelor of science in Manufacturing Design Engineering. This degree requires 180 quarter units. This program encourages group collaboration by incorporating practical manufacturing techniques and modeling into the curriculum.
Students can expect to take courses like Scientific Problem Solving and Computer Aided Engineering. The senior capstone project requires students to devote three courses where they will design and develop an item in a team environment. Many career options include design supervisors and manufacturing system design engineers.
Why we like them: Courses last four weeks so you can move from one subject to another in a month. You can immerse yourself into a topic and seamlessly transition to the next. NU offers a year-round program, so you don’t have to worry about meeting admissions deadlines.
Lamar University
Online Enrollment
2,571
Annual Tuition
$18,482
Location
Beaumont (TX)
Lamar University offers a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering online. The degree is delivered online except for two first- and second-year course requirements. Third- and fourth-year classes are also offered online.
The curriculum includes courses like Engineering Materials and Manufacturing Processes and Probability and Statistics for Engineering. The students must also attend a three-day lab in Beaumont. After graduation, graduates can pursue careers such as quality assurance inspectors and industrial mechanics.
Why we like them: They offer the same courses on campus. As an online student, you will receive the same rigorous academic foundation and be well-prepared to excel in your field. Also, LU accepts up to 73 credits from an Associate Degree, which can drastically reduce your graduation timeline.
Mississippi State University
Online Enrollment
1,730
Annual Tuition
$24,900
Location
Mississippi State (MS)
The Mississippi State University is a large public university offering an online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. Two concentrations are available: (1) Industrial Automation and Manufacturing and (2) Maintenance Management.
This degree in industrial technology can lead to various roles within the industrial sector. These include management, process improvement, automation, and robotics. MSU has a long history of graduates who have worked with companies like Caterpillar and Milwaukee Electric Tool.
Why we like them: Some courses required for this online industrial engineering program are workshops, which require four in-person days each semester. It provides hands-on experience, networking opportunities, collaboration, and access to specialized tools. These workshops are designed to enhance your engineering skills in the real world and improve your ability to apply theoretical knowledge.
PennWest California
Online Enrollment
1,207
Annual Tuition
$15,726
Location
California (PA)
Students interested in industrial engineering can take a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Management online. This online degree bases its curriculum on the certification areas of the Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering: production/operations management, quality control, safety management, and production and inventory control.
The courses include Production Analysis and Principles of Production. Students must also complete a research or internship project besides the core requirements. Graduates can find jobs as industrial researchers, purchasing agents, or production supervisors.
Why we like them: You need an associate’s degree to apply. This experience can replace up to 60 credit hours (27 in general education, 27 in majors, and 6 electives), allowing you to start taking more advanced courses immediately.
Admission Requirements
The online college application for an IE or IET degree is very similar. Most candidates must submit the same documents:
- Official transcripts from high school or a GED showing a minimum GPA in the range of 2.5-3.0.
- ACT or SAT scores, dependent upon school admissions requirements, though an increasing number of colleges are dropping entrance test requirements
- Letters of recommendation from teachers or guidance counselors
- A personal essay on a given topic
Common Courses in an Industrial Engineering Program
The IE and IET curriculums emphasize systems design, advanced mathematics, and materials science to help students better understand process improvement.
IET students spend much time in the lab learning about technical tools. Students can work towards a concentration in some degree programs while still fulfilling their elective requirements.
Below are some common courses prospective students can use to learn more about the IE and IET programs.
Engineering Economics:
This course introduces industrial engineering principles and economic principles. The class will teach students about the time value of money, cost-benefit analysis, tax effects on manufacturing projects, and the rate of returns.
Human-Machine Systems Engineering:
This course is designed to help future engineers and technologists understand the human interaction with industrial technology. The course covers the human motor and intellectual performance, system design, statistical decision-making, and ideal work environments. Students usually design data collection methods to be tested in a laboratory.
Quality Assurance:
In this course, professors will often define the term “quality” and provide a variety of methods for assessing and improving quality in industrial settings. Students may be introduced to statistical process control (SPC), quality cost, Pareto Optimization, and sampling reliability.
Machine Automation:
Students are taught the current and historical state of automation in industrial settings. The faculty may introduce principles such as robotics, sensors, actuators, and artificial intelligence. The students often have to use lessons learned in other classes to evaluate the cost of automation and its impact on workers.
Careers with an Industrial Engineering Degree
Students of industrial engineering can develop skills and knowledge applicable to a wide range of technical and engineering specializations. Problem-solving skills, cost-benefit analyses, inductive and deductive reasoning, and project management are among the many skills that students can learn. Graduates may find employment in diverse fields such as aerospace and defense, manufacturing, technology, government, or the public sector.
Below are several career options for industrial engineers with a bachelor’s degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provided data on median annual salaries, job growth, and other statistics through 2032. These occupations may have higher growth rates compared to others. This is important when you are applying for a job.
Industrial Engineers
- Median Annual Salary: $96,350
- Job Growth: 12%
Industrial Engineers strive to improve efficiency in production settings, such as factories, while monitoring the overall workflow. Industrial engineers use their understanding of the human-machine interface to create safe and effective systems. They often work with an industrial engineer technologist who oversees their work. This discipline can also be called Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Industrial Engineering Technologists
- Median Annual Salary:$61,210
- Job Growth: 3%
Industrial engineers work with technologists to solve problems in production systems. They supervise a facility’s technological and human aspects and collect data about workflow, process changes and supply chain pressures.
Cost Estimators
- Median Annual Salary: $71,200
- Job Growth: -3% (Decline)
Cost Estimators use historical data to calculate costs for large projects based on material prices, labor availability, and timelines. Estimators are used by heavy industry and manufacturing employers to help plan budgets and submit bids for contracts. This role may be filled by an engineering student who knows industrial economics and processes.
Health and Safety Engineers
- Median Annual Salary: $100,660
- Job Growth: 4%
Safety and health engineers work to maintain and create safe environments to encourage employee growth. The engineers design industrial environments that consider human fallibility to ensure everyone’s safety despite mistakes. Some jobs have titles such as Human factors engineer or Ergonomics engineer.
Management Analysts
- Median Annual Salary: $95,290
- Job Growth: 10%
Management Analysts are similar to industrial engineers but in a completely different context. Industrial engineering students may be well-suited to assist businesses, government agencies, or nonprofits reduce costs, create sustainable budgets, and improve productivity. Some management analysts are employed by consulting firms who assign them to clients as contract workers.
Is an Online Industrial Engineering Degree Worth It?
It’s important to consider more than just the experience of the program when deciding if an online industrial engineering program is for you. You should also ensure that you are happy with the career you choose. You may also find the pros and cons below helpful when deciding.
- Industrial engineers are trained in analyzing complex systems, identifying inefficiencies, and developing of innovative solutions that will enhance productivity and lower costs. These skills can lead to rewarding and impactful careers. Industrial engineers are often paid well for their knowledge of optimizing processes and increasing productivity.
- Industrial engineering can be a degree that is adaptable and imparts transferable abilities. You may find that engineering isn’t as rewarding as you thought. In this case, you can switch roles such as cost estimation and management analysis in other industries. Students of industrial engineering learn to provide solutions using data from different sources. This is a skill that many employers are looking for.
- Online learning can be more flexible and accommodating than traditional classroom learning. Most bachelor’s degree programs allow you to complete your coursework and watch lectures anytime as long as the due date is met.
- ABET does not accredit online industrial engineering programs. Only a handful of industrial engineering technology programs have ABET accreditation. You may attend a campus-based program because a lack of ABET approval could negatively impact future employment or licensure.
- Industrial engineers and technologists both report being unsatisfied with their work. CareerExplorer reports that employees in both roles are not satisfied with their jobs. Stress can be a problem for industrial engineers responsible for improving processes and maximizing efficiency. Some professionals may find it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life equilibrium.
- After graduation, you may need to continue your education. Many engineers with bachelor’s degrees also take certificate programs related to industrial engineering, such as Six Sigma and engineering management. Certificates are a great way to add specific skills and knowledge to your resume. They can also be a good option for students who don’t want to complete a degree program.
FAQs About Best Industrial Engineering Degree Online
Can You Study Industrial Engineering Online?
We have a complete list of online programs in industrial engineering that you can check out. However, it’s essential to note that only a few online industrial engineering technology programs are accredited by ABET. For instance, you can consider Kennesaw State University and the University of Southern Mississippi for accredited programs.
What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering?
If you’ve graduated in a technical field and are wondering what career path to take, you might want to consider becoming an industrial engineer or industrial engineering technologist. These jobs involve analyzing data and managing projects, skills useful in many industries. You could also explore other engineering jobs or positions in sectors requiring similar expertise.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering?
Usually, it takes four years for someone to finish a bachelor’s degree in engineering. But in reality, only 41% of students complete their degree in that time. Some people may have other responsibilities, like working full-time, which can take longer to finish their degree.
