2024 Best Online Industrial Engineering Degrees

Did you know that studying industrial engineering can equip you with the skills to improve production processes and facilities? Several colleges offer online industrial engineering degrees to make learning easier and more convenient.

With a bachelor’s degree, you can start working as an industrial engineer, or you can choose to pursue an online master’s degree in industrial engineering for advanced knowledge in the field.

We’ve ranked the schools offering these programs based on online enrollment so you can easily pick the most popular ones.

Best Online Industrial Engineering Degrees 2024

Liberty University

• Annual Tuition: $11,700
• Locations: Lynchburg (VA)
• Accreditation: SACS COC

Liberty University (LU) is an enormous private university. It has the online Master of Science in Industrial Engineering Technology. The program helps students develop processes and systems that help solve engineering issues.

The core courses of this program include Electrical Systems, Facilities Design, Six Sigma, Lean and Kaizen, two theology courses, as well as a capstone class. The graduates have gone on to be employed as industrial engineers, operations managers and production planners.

Why we like them:  At LU, students utilize Canvas to access their course work, which is entirely online and analogue. Asynchronous online learning allows access to course materials and completion of assignments without an established schedule. This type of learning is suitable for students with various schedules and obligations.

University of Arizona

• Annual Tuition: $11,800
• Locations: Tucson (AZ) 
• Accreditation: HLC

The University of Arizona (UA) provides students who are interested with industrial engineering an on-line bachelor of science degree degree in sustainable Built Environments. This program is designed to provide environmentally-friendly construction practices using either sustainable Buildings as well as Sustainable Real Estate Development concentrations.

Through the core course, students will explore the various aspects sustainability in engineering by taking Introduction to Sustainability as well as Professional Communication in addition to Sustainability Design and Planning classes. Both of these concentrations need a capstone assignment and an internship with a professional. Students can pursue jobs as urban planners, renewable energy system designers, and architects.

Why we like Them: Students mention that the university’s sustainable built environment degree program encourages collaboration by allowing distant students to interact with their classmates and benefit from a variety of perspectives. This is not just beneficial to the learning experience, but also emulates the real-world teamwork which is needed in sustainable construction and design projects.

National University

• Annual Tuition: $13,320
• Locations: La Jolla (CA)
• Accreditation: WSCUC

National University (NU) students can explore industrial engineering by completing the internet-based Master of Science in Manufacturing Design Engineering. There are 180 quarter-units required to earn this degree. This curriculum promotes collaborative learning with instruction in group settings for manufacturing techniques and modelling methods.

In this program, students can anticipate courses like Scientific Problem Solving, Computer Aided Engineering, and product design Optimization. Students must also devote three courses towards an end-of-course capstone project in which they’ll develop and design products in a team setting. The job opportunities are available as design supervisors, designers of manufacturing equipment, and designers of products.

What we like about them: Courses are four weeks long, allowing students to go from one subject to the next each month. This way, you can be completely immersed in a matter before moving seamlessly into the next. NU also provides year-round enrollment, so there is no requirement to adhere to admission deadlines.

Lamar University

• Annual Tuition: $18,482
• Locations: Beaumont (TX)
• Accreditation: SACS COC

Lamar University (LU) students can learn about industrial engineering with their web-based Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. This degree fulfils most first- and second-year courses online, and the third and fourth-year classes are entirely online.

The curriculum consists of the required courses, such as Engineering Manufacturing Materials Processes, Probability and Statistics for Engineering and Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Students are also required to participate in a three-day lab for manufacturing located in Beaumont, Texas.

After graduation, students can be employed as Quality assurance inspection inspectors, industrial mechanics, and quality assurance engineers.

What we like Them: You’ll take the same classes as students on campus. You will get the same academic education as an online student and are prepared to succeed in your chosen field. Additionally, LU allows up to 72 transfer credits from associate degrees, which could dramatically shorten the time to complete your degree.

Mississippi State University

• Annual Tuition: $24,900
• Locations: State (MS)
• Accreditation: SACS COC

Mississippi State University (MSU) is a major university, which is a public one that offers students an online Master of Science in Industrial Technology. There are two options for concentrations: (1) Industrial Automation and Manufacturing and (2) Maintenance Management.

This degree in industrial technology can assist you in gaining a variety of roles within the industrial industry that range from management and process improvement to robots and automation.

MSU has a history of graduates who have been successful working for famous companies like Caterpillar, Milwaukee Electric Tool, and Nissan North America.

Why We Like Them: Some courses in this online industrial engineering degree require four in-person sessions each semester. These workshops provide:

• Valuable hands-on experience.
• Opportunities for collaboration and networking.
• Access to equipment specifically designed for the job.

These training sessions can enhance your skills in the field and the application of your technical knowledge in real-world situations.

PennWest California

• Annual Tuition: $15,726
• Locations: California (PA)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

PennWest California (CalU) students who want to learn about industrial engineering can pursue the online Master of Science in Industrial Technology Management. 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 consist of Production Analysis, Principles of Production, and Supply Chain Fundamentals. In addition to the fundamental requirements, students must complete the needs of an internship or research project. Students can find positions as industrial researchers, purchasing agents and production supervisors.

Why we like them: You require an associate’s degree to qualify for this program. This program replaces up to 60 credit hours (27 introductory education courses, 27 major courses, and six electives), which allows students to begin taking advanced classes at the start.

List Of Accredited Online Industrial Engineering Schools

Common Courses in an Industrial Engineering Program

Each IE and IET curriculum emphasizes the design of systems, materials science and advanced mathematics to help students learn about process improvement. Additionally, IE degrees often contain teams and project management classes. IET students usually study the use of technological tools in a lab. Specific degree programs provide particular concentrations that students can pursue while satisfying various elective requirements.

Below is a list of common courses below to help students understand what kind of classes to expect for IE and IET programs:

Engineering Economics

The class will introduce economic concepts that are relevant to the field of industrial engineering. Students will learn about the value of money, cost-benefit analyses, the effect of manufacturing taxes, and the return rate.

Human-Machine Systems Engineering

Future engineers and technologists follow this course to better understand how people interact with technology in the industrial world. Lessons typically focus on human cognitive and motor capabilities, system design, statistical analysis to aid in decision-making, and how to create the best workplaces for humans. Students often develop data collection strategies to test in the lab.

Machine Automation

Students are taught about the past and present state of technology for automation in industrial contexts. Faculty can introduce the fundamentals of robotics processes control sensors and actuators artificial intelligence, as well as the programmable logic controller. Students may be required to apply the lessons they learned in other classes to examine the costs of automation and the impact it has on workers.

Quality Assurance

Professors usually specify “quality” in this course and provide a variety of quality improvement and assessment techniques in industrial settings. They can teach students about quantitative process control and quality cost—Pareto optimization and reliability of sampling.

Is an Online Industrial Engineering Degree Worth It?

When deciding if an online industrial engineering degree is a good fit for you, it’s crucial to consider more than the program to ensure you’re in a field that you’ll be content with throughout your career. The advantages and disadvantages listed below might be helpful when making your choice:

Potential Benefits

• Engineers in the industrial field are educated to study complex systems, spot inefficiencies, and develop creative solutions to improve productivity and decrease costs. Employers highly value the skills they acquire to solve problems, which could lead to rewarding career paths. Additionally, engineers in the industrial sector usually have competitive pay because of their ability to optimise processes and enhance productivity.
• Industrial engineering can be an adaptable degree that will give you transferable abilities. Suppose you realize the straight engineering job isn’t how you expected it to be. In that case, you can switch to cost estimation or management analysis positions in different sectors. Industrial engineering students are taught to provide solutions based on information from multiple sources, a skill that many employers seek.
• Online learning could be more flexible and flexible for students than traditional classroom learning. Most bachelor’s degree programs online allow you to view lectures and complete your coursework at convenient times, provided you stick to the due dates.

Potential Drawbacks

• MostABET accredits most industrial engineering programs online, and only some programs in engineering technology for industrial use have been accredited by ABET. Because a lack of ABET approval can negatively affect your employment prospects and licensure, you could choose to attend an on-campus traditional program as the best option.
• Technologists and industrial engineers alike are unhappy with their job. According to Career Explorer, the employees in both positions report job satisfaction at the bottom of the list of all occupations. Industrial engineers are often entrusted with enhancing processes and improving efficiency, which can result in stress, mainly when working on large-scale projects or with tight deadlines. The balance between work and life can be challenging for professionals in this field.
• A higher level of education could be required after completing your degree. Many engineers who have bachelor’s level also take certificates online in fields related to industrial engineering like Six Sigma or engineering management. Certifications can aid professionals in adding specific knowledge or skills to their resumes and help students who need more time to complete a degree program.

There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages to earning an industrial engineering diploma on the Internet. These courses can be challenging with a strong base in math and science, and engineering fundamentals. Students may encounter the system as challenging, which could result in a high learning curve. With experience and expertise, industrial engineers can earn handsome incomes and be an excellent career choice for those who want to make money.

Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree can be qualified for various positions that involve engineering, technology and design. But they can also pursue higher education to increase their earnings and marketability. Different schools offer online master’s degrees that focus on industrial engineering. Masters’ graduates are often promoted to managerial positions. Engineers who want to teach at a college level and conduct their research may take a doctoral degree. However, online postgraduate degrees for industrial engineers are scarce.

FAQs About Getting an Industrial Engineering Degree Online

Can You Study Industrial Engineering Online?

You can check out our complete listing of online industrial engineering earlier. It is essential to remember that ABET only recognizes a handful of industrial engineering technology courses online, like those offered at Kennesaw State University and the University of Southern Mississippi.

What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering?

The most obvious job for graduates in this field is industrial engineer or engineering technologist. Beyond that, you can take on other engineering careers or jobs in different areas requiring data analysis and project management experience.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering?

Engineering departments typically design bachelor’s degrees for four years in a continuous, full-time fashion. However, only 41 per cent of students graduate with a bachelor’s degree within four years. Sure, students have full-time jobs and additional commitments, so it might take longer to complete a degree in engineering.