Best Industrial Engineering Schools in California

California has 5 colleges offering Industrial Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 231 recent graduates. Graduates earn $69,975 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $67,098.

School choice matters significantly: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn $73,562 while San Jose State University graduates earn $61,020 — a $12,542 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in CA

$69,975

CA Avg. Earnings

$67,098

National Avg.

100

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Industrial Engineering in California

Public Schools (4)

$67,290

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (1)

$78,029

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $10,739 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Industrial Engineering Schools in California, Ranked by Earnings

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$73,562

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $72,643

Graduates: 70

Acceptance: 29.8%

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$78,029

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,709

Graduates: 44

Acceptance: 10.0%

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public

$67,287

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,420

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 73.7%

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 96.8%

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · Public

$61,020

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,042

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 80.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Industrial Engineering in California?

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #1 for Industrial Engineering in California with median graduate earnings of $73,562 within two years of graduation. There are 5 schools offering Industrial Engineering programs in the state.

How much do Industrial Engineering graduates earn in California?

Industrial Engineering graduates in California earn an average of $69,975 within two years of graduation. This is 4% above the national average of $67,098 for this major.

What is the hardest Industrial Engineering school to get into in California?

University of Southern California is the most selective Industrial Engineering program in California with an acceptance rate of 10.0%. The average acceptance rate across Industrial Engineering programs in the state is 58.1%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Industrial Engineering in California?

In California, private Industrial Engineering programs produce average earnings of $78,029 vs $67,290 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 4 public and 1 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in California

Construction Management $81,700 Construction Engineering $81,610 Construction Engineering Technologies $76,343 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions $75,984 Computer Science $72,889 Computer Engineering $72,447 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions $71,074 Computer and Information Sciences, General $68,388

All colleges in California →

Industrial Engineering in Other States

Ohio Texas Illinois Michigan Connecticut New York Pennsylvania Wisconsin Florida Massachusetts Indiana Iowa View All →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.