Best Online Master's In Industrial Engineering Degrees

Overview

A public university with the highest ranking of research productivity, Clemson University is part of the bedrock of higher education in South Carolina. It consists of seven academic colleges and enrolls over 24,000 students. The student-to-faculty ratio, both on campus and online, is an impressive 18:1.

Program Features

The online Masters of Engineering in Industrial Engineering at Clemson University focuses on supply chain logistics. The program started in 2008 and has since earned huge respect. You’ll take ten classes in total. The first five will establish your core engineering skills, and the next five will let you focus on supply chain issues. Here’s a sampling:

• Descriptive Analytics
• Foundations of Quality
• Supply Chain and Logistics Modeling
• Health, Safety, and the Environment

Notables

The online services at Clemson University make distance learning a seamless process. You’ll use Canvas as your online platform. This technology allows you to learn via web conferencing, instructional videos, interactive displays, innovative assessment tools, and more.

Overview

The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university that makes up the largest student enrollment population in North Texas. It hosts the third-largest College of Engineering in the state, with over 7,000 engineering students. Within the College of Engineering, UT Arlington offers 11 undergraduate degrees and 14 master’s degrees.

Program Features

You’ll find six concentration areas nestled within this MS in Industrial Engineering: Operations Research and Applied Statistics, Manufacturing Systems, Logistics, Enterprise Systems, Enterprise Management, and Ergonomics. This curriculum is highly research-oriented. You’ll have the choice between a thesis or non-thesis option. Some courses you’ll take are:

• Production Systems Design
• Planning and Control of Enterprise Systems
• Automation and Advanced Manufacturing
• Human Engineering

Notables

Research activity at UT Arlington’s College of Engineering is at a all-time high. Last year, engineering faculty were given over $28 million in funded grants. This was a 30 percent increase from last year. In fact, the College of Engineering accounts for almost half of the entire university research expenditures.

Overview

One of Iowa’s flagship institutions, Iowa State University takes the cake for research in the state. It is based in Ames, IA. It became the first land-grant university in the nation in 1858 and maintains that designation to this day. Iowa State University maintains a strong engineering department, with nearly all of its specialties ranking in the top 30 nationally.

Program Features

Your curriculum at Iowa State University will be divided into five categories: engineering management, operations research, manufacturing processes, human factors, and enterprise computing. Aside from your core courses, you’ll take a class in one of each of these five areas. Here’s what that might look like:

• Occupational Biomechanics
• Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing
• Linear Programming
• Simulation Modeling and Analysis

Notables

Iowa State University knows what it takes to match up graduate students with their futures. In a university study of Industrial Engineering graduates between 2011 and 2016, 95 percent of graduates were either employed or pursuing additional education immediately after earning their degree. Most students found work in manufacturing.

Overview

A land-grant university with a history that spans back to 1878, Mississippi State University specializes in agriculture and applied science. It has a main campus in Starkville, MS, but also maintains campuses in Meridian, Biloxi, and Vicksburg. The engineering program was recognized by the National Science Foundation for its research and development.

Program Features

You’ll choose a major within the MS in Industrial Engineering program right out of the gate. You’ll have a choice between Industrial Systems, Operations Research, Manufacturing Systems, Management Systems Engineering, or Ergonomics. This degree can be completed as a thesis track or a non-thesis track. Some examples of coursework include:

• Process Improvement Engineering
• Industrial Ergonomics
• Systems Simulation
• Production Control Systems

Notables

Mississippi State University makes online education a breeze for engineering graduate students. Your online platform will be delivered through Blackboard, and you’ll receive additional software for any specific needs you have, whether that’s in statistical modeling or systems simulation.

Overview

The first established university in the state, the University of Arizona was founded in 1885. Nationally, its online graduate program in engineering ranks at #33, according to U.S. News & World Report. Over 43,500 students attend the University of Arizona.

Program Features

You’ll get both technical skills and business basics with the online MS in Industrial Engineering. This curriculum gives you lots of options. After completing your coursework, you can decide between taking additional classes, defending a thesis, or assembling a hands-on project. Regardless, your coursework might look like this:

• Engineering Statistics
• Traffic Modeling & Simulation
• Distributed Multi-Paradigm Simulation Systems
• Nonlinear Optimization

Notables

Students and faculty alike are making huge strides in research within the Systems & Industrial Engineering department at the University of Arizona. Currently, some ongoing projects involve ADOT Emergency-Intellidrive, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Solar Power Systems, and more.

Overview

A historical public university in Alabama, Auburn University started as a male-only college in 1856. It became coeducational in 1892. AU was Alabama’s first public land-grant university and maintains this status today. The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering enrolls around 4,000 students.

Program Features

You’ll choose between a thesis or non-thesis option for your MS in Industrial Engineering. Either way, this program consists of 30 credit-hours. Beyond your core classes, your extra credits can either be devoted to research or electives. Here’s a sneak-peek into some of your coursework:

• Manufacturing/Production Economics
• Linear Programming and Network Flows
• Advanced Engineering Statistics
• Stochastic Operations Research

Notables

Auburn University knows that student satisfaction is in the details. The faculty members in this department all hold advanced degrees from highly regarded schools. Auburn University also has one of the highest percentages of female engineering students in its program at 35 percent. Graduates have gone on to work for NASA, Delta Airlines, Honda, and more.

Overview

The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a regional campus of the University of Michigan. UM Dearborn houses a strong College of Computer Science and Engineering. Graduate students can choose from 18 online master’s programs. Over 94 percent of UM Dearborn students are Michigan residents.

Program Features

UM-Dearborn offers an MSE in Industrial & Systems Engineering. The curriculum requires 30 credit-hours and is designed for engineers with a few years of experience in the field. You’ll have six options for specializing. Among them are Ergonomics, Quality Systems Design, Program Management, and more. A sampling of classes includes:

• Vehicle Ergonomics
• Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
• Decision Support and Expert Systems
• Multivariate Statistics

Notables

If you’re more interested in research, you can opt into the master’s thesis track. In that case, you would take less credit-hours in one of the concentration areas. The thesis-track option is a great choice for students hoping to pursue additional education after their master’s degree.

Overview

A land-grant and sun-grant university based in Stillwater, Oklahoma State University is a stand-out institution in terms of best value and academics. The College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology houses 14 unique engineering departments. Over 23,000 students attend OSU annually.

Program Features

Once you are admitted into Oklahoma State University’s online MS in Industrial Engineering and Management program, you’ll select a specialty track. Your four options include: General Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management, Operations Research, or Supply Chain & Logistics. Your 33 credit-hours will consist of classes like:

• Probability and Statistics for Engineers
• Integrated Manufacturing Control Systems
• Discrete Systems Simulation
• Supply Chain Strategy

Notables

Within the Industrial Engineering & Management department, students and faculty are conducting groundbreaking research. The research projects are organized under the following categories: Energy, Transportation, Healthcare, Data Mining and Analytics, Optimization Under Uncertainty, and Discrete Optimization.

Overview

Known as the oldest public university in the state, New Mexico State University was founded in 1888. Its main campus is located in Las Cruces, though it has branch campuses in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Dona Ana County, and Grants. NMSU was recently recognized as one of the top 25 institutions for its promotion of Latino representation in STEM fields.

Program Features

The MS in Industrial Engineering at New Mexico State University is offered 100 percent online. You can complete this degree in one of two ways: the project option or the course-only option. Either way, the curriculum consists of 30 credit-hours. All online students return to the main campus in Las Cruces for a final oral exam. Classes along the way include:

• Systems Engineering and Project Management
• Operations Research
• Integrated Manufacturing Systems
• Advanced Quality Control

Notables

New Mexico State University is ready to meet you and your needs, whatever they are! If you want to connect with other graduate students, you can join the NMSU chapter of the Institute of Industrial Engineers. If you want some work experience, you can take advantage of the co-op program. Make this program work for you!

Overview

A Tier One university that excels in science and engineering, Louisiana Tech University is located in Ruston, LA. It maintains impressive research partnerships with organizations like the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and more. The College of Engineering houses nearly 30 percent of the overall student body.

Program Features

At Louisiana Tech University, you’ll earn an MS in Engineering with a concentration in Industrial Engineering. Besides being delivered fully online, you also have the choice to complete this degree via coursework only, thesis, or practicum options. Each track requires 36 credit-hours. Your first term of classes might look like this:

• Economics and Decision Making
• Six Sigma and Quality Control
• Engineering Computational Methods
• Reliability Engineering

Notables

It’s worth mentioning right off the bat that Louisiana Tech University is the most affordable program on our list. The average net price of this program is just $9,497. This year, the program was recognized by SR Education Group for being one of the Best Online Colleges for Value.

Overview

The Knoxville campus within the wider University of Tennessee System is a public school. It is a sun and land-grant research university and the flagship campus in the UT System. Organized into nine colleges and eleven graduate schools, UT Knoxville enrolls nearly 28,000 students.

Program Features

UT Knoxville offers the ideal program for those who want to study both industrial engineering and engineering management. This MS in Industrial Engineering degree emphasizes the core components of management, such as project development, leadership theory, and financial supervision. Additionally, the core curriculum covers:

• Statistical Methods in Industrial Engineering
• Advanced Engineering Economic Analysis
• Optimization Methods in Industrial Engineering
• Analytical Methods for Engineering Managers

Notables

UT Knoxville’s online engineering programs are designed with working professionals in mind. You will take classes at your own pace, meaning this is a highly individualized program. Yet, you will also participate in live lectures, connecting with teachers and students virtually. You’ll also gain access to the University’s exhaustive research archives and library catalogs. All just a click away!

Overview

Western New England University is located in Springfield, MA. It is a private university organized into five schools and colleges, including its renowned College of Engineering. Approximately 4,000 students attend Western New England University.

Program Features

The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering program at Western New England University is a flexible degree that can be earned at either a full or part-time pace. In addition to studying the fundamentals of industrial engineering, such as production modeling and optimization methods, you will also have the opportunity to explore a diverse range of topics, such as:

• Lean Production Systems
• Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
• Human Factors
• Engineering Cost Analysis

Notables

As the University has grown throughout the years it has re-established its primary commitments to STEM research and education. Recently, Western New England University has expanded its STEM facilities, specifically within the College of Engineering. This has led to U.S. News & World Report ranking the College of Engineering as being among the top 60 best in the nation.

Overview

Located in Corvallis, OR and situated in the Willamette Valley, Oregon State University is a public university. It offers more than 200 academic programs to its 28,000 students. And as a land, sea, space, and sun-grant university, OSU is a respected leader in research development.

Program Features

Looking for an engineering degree that also focuses on business fundamentals? OSU’s program may be for you. It offers a Master in Industrial Engineering with a focus on technical management and project leadership. That means you will take classes on business and finance foundations in engineering industries and settings. For example, your core classes include:

• Introduction to Management for Engineers and Scientists
• Project Management in Engineering
• Operations Management
• Advanced Engineering Economic Analysis

Notables

At OSU you will be privileged to take classes specifically developed by leaders in the field of engineering management. And though you’ll study online and from a distance, you will have the opportunity to network within the professional industry. At graduation your diploma is identical to those earned by on-campus students.

Overview

Lawrence Technological University is a private school located in the Detroit suburb of Southfield. This university specializes in STEM education and research. Organized into four colleges, Lawrence Tech is home to approximately 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students.

Program Features

At Lawrence Tech you can earn an MS in Industrial Engineering fully online. Learn how to build more effective and efficient systems and reduce waste in time, materials, and resources. This degree can be earned in as few as 18 months and covers the spectrum of industrial engineering topics, from Six Sigma to product innovation. Core classes cover:

• Applied Stochastic Processes
• Advanced Optimization Techniques
• Engineering Systems Simulation
• Quality Control

Notables

Though you’ll be studying from a distance and at your own pace, Lawrence Tech’s online platform ensures you have an intimate graduate experience. You’ll still work closely with classmates and faculty members. And you’ll have the opportunity to participate in virtual “office hours,” one-on-one mentoring, and more.

Overview

Located in Alabama’s Appalachian region, the University of Alabama at Huntsville is a public school. It is organized into eight schools and colleges through which it offers degrees across all academic levels. UAH is home to more than 9,000 students.

Program Features

At UAH you can earn a Master’s of Science in Engineering with specialization in Industrial and Systems Engineering. There are a few ways to earn this degree, including a track that requires a substantive thesis or a track that requires more coursework with a research focus. Both, however, have you complete a common core that consists of:

• Introduction to Operations Research
• Systems Modeling
• Advanced Quality Control
• Engineering Economic Analysis

Notables

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is renowned in many academic and professional areas. But it is perhaps best known for its strengths and innovations in engineering. UAH is a space-grant institution that partners closely with NASA and houses the National Space Science and Technology Center.