30 Best Online Master’s in Industrial or Systems Engineering Degrees

One of the most affordable online master's in industrial engineering programs on our list is offered by Auburn University. A minimum of 31 credits is required for completion of the industrial and systems engineering degree, which includes online coursework in advanced engineering statistics, linear programming and network flows, and manufacturing and production economics. All classes are delivered online and taught by university professors who regularly teach in the traditional classroom. Admission is competitive, but GRE scores are not required for students interested in earning a master's degree. However, if a student has a master's from another institution and wishes to earn a PhD from Auburn, GRE scores are required. Auburn is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 99th best national university and 43rd top public school. Also, the online graduate engineering programs rank #20 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

The accredited online master's in systems engineering program at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The non-thesis degree requires 30 credit hours, while the thesis degree requires the completion of 36 credit hours with a research component. Both programs may be completed online. Courses are delivered via live streaming video and are archived for easy and convenient access at later dates. Admission to the program requires a bachelor's in engineering, applied mathematics, computer science, or a physical science. Missouri S&T is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 164th best national university and 87th top public school in the country. Also, the online graduate engineering programs are ranked #16 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

Arizona State University's online master's in industrial engineering degree program is listed among the top 20 programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. This highly specialized engineering degree is offered through the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering and can be completed entirely online. Designed for working students and professional engineers, the flexible classes allow students to continue balancing daytime responsibilities while earning a graduate degree. Three primary areas of study are offered, including information systems engineering and management systems engineering; operations research and production systems; and quality and reliability engineering. ASU is ranked by major publications like U.S. News as a top national university and best college for veterans. Also, in the most recent edition of Best Colleges, the online graduate engineering programs ranked #13 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

One of the top online master's in industrial and systems engineering programs on our list is the online master's in systems engineering offered by Colorado State University. This 30-credit program is designed for professional engineers with a bachelor's degree in engineering, or closely related discipline. Students may earn either a Master of Science or Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering by taking online classes in model-based systems engineering, multidisciplinary optimization, probabilistic design, and verification and validation strategies. The institution is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 129th best national university in the country. Also, in the most recent edition of Best Colleges, the online graduate engineering programs are ranked #31 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

The affordable online industrial engineering master's degree program at University of Arizona is one of the top programs of its kind on our list. Students may select from three different completion pathways, including a hands-on project, defending a thesis, or by completing different coursework. All courses are delivered online and taught by the same university professors who instruct on campus. These courses include advanced quality engineering, engineering statistics, fundamentals of optimization, large-scale optimization, nonlinear optimization, and transportation systems. The institution is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 124th best national university and 60th top public school in the country. Also, the online graduate engineering programs are ranked #45 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Colorado Technical University's online master's in industrial and systems engineering degree programs include the 48-credit master's in systems engineering. The program is taught via distance education with classes delivered entirely online. These courses include applied managerial decision-making, impact on design and production, quantitative analysis for systems, schedule and cost control techniques, and system acquisition processes and standards. Colorado Technical is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the West. Also, the graduate engineering programs are ranked #148 out of approximately 198 schools with similar programs.

University of Florida offers a number of online industrial engineering master's degree programs that include specializations. Students may follow a general track or tailor their studies toward a specific concentration. Concentrations offered include communication systems engineering, environmental systems engineering, information systems engineering, logistics and transportation systems engineering, or manufacturing systems engineering. The master's program is designed to be completed in 24 months with all courses delivered online and taught by the same university professors who teach on campus. University of Florida is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 50th best national institution and 14th top public school. Also, the graduate online engineering programs are ranked #59 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

One of the top online master's in industrial and systems engineering programs on our list is the systems engineering degree program from George Mason University. This 30-credit program is 100% online and offered through the Volgenau School of Engineering. The program is designed for working engineers who want to attain technical leadership roles within their engineering organizations. Online courses include systems design and integration, system engineering principles, system management and evaluation, and systems methodology and modeling. Concentration options are also available so that students may tailor their degree toward career goals. These concentrations include four areas of focus: Architecture-based systems integration, systems engineering analysis, systems engineering of software-intensive systems, and systems management. U.S. News and World Report ranks George Mason as the 143rd best national university.

Oregon State University offers one of the most affordable online master's in industrial and systems engineering degree programs on our list. The 45-credit online master's in industrial engineering program offers classes developed by OSU's research faculty. Courses may be completed entirely online and include advanced engineering economic analysis, introduction to management for engineers and scientists, operations management, project management in engineering, and systems engineering. Program applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in any of the STEM fields like engineering, mathematics, science, or technology. GRE scores are also required. Oregon State is a top-ranked national university. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 143rd best national institution. Also, the online graduate engineering programs rank #28 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Georgia Institute of Technology, or Georgia Tech, offers an affordable online industrial engineering master's degree program designed for busy and working students with a background in engineering. Students do not complete a research thesis or capstone independent work, but take courses online that may be tailored to career goals and personal interests. These courses include deterministic optimization, engineering economy, manufacturing systems, transportation and supply chain systems, and warehousing systems. Georgia Tech is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 34th best national university in the country. Also, the graduate engineering school is ranked #7 out of more than 800 institutions with graduate schools.

Pennsylvania State University's online master's in systems engineering is a 36-credit hour program that can be completed entirely online. Twelve courses taken over approximately six continuous semesters allow busy and working students to finish their degree quickly and without attending traditional classes. Online courses include creativity and problem solving, engineering analysis, probability models and simulation, systems optimization, and systems verification validation and testing. Three credits of a master's research paper must also be completed. This paper consists of research projects identified on an individual or small group basis. Pennsylvania State is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 50th best national university and 14th top public school in the nation. Also, the graduate engineering school ranks #32 out of more than 800 surveyed institutions with graduate schools.

University of Michigan offers a customizable and flexible online master's in systems engineering and design that is available to working students with a four-year degree in engineering or physical science and solid undergraduate GPA. The program is designed for working and busy professionals who want to earn a master's in systems engineering online. Courses include development and verification of systems design requirements, introduction to systems engineering, and system architecture concept development and embodiment design. A nine-credit practicum is also required for completion of the degree. University of Michigan is ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 27th best national university in the country. Also, the graduate engineering school ranks #5 out of more than 800 surveyed institutions with graduate schools.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers an online master's in systems engineering degree program designed for working professionals. The program prepares students for advanced systems engineering roles or entry into a PhD program. Thirty semester hours of credit are required, with courses delivered entirely online. All courses include concepts of systems engineering, information security management, operations risk management, project management, systems architecture and design, and systems integration validation and verification. Admission to the program requires a BS in engineering from an ABET-accredited university and undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. Worcester is a nationally ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 60th best national university. Also, the online graduate engineering programs rank #40 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Lehigh University's online master's in systems engineering program is designed for busy individuals who are interested in manufacturing systems. Thirty credits are required for the program, and classes are delivered entirely online through the Office of Distance Education. Courses include automation and production systems, global competitive environment, introduction to the organization and its environment, and logistics and supply chain management. Admission requires a BS in an engineering discipline as well as GRE scores above the 75th percentile. Lehigh is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 44th best national university and 38th best value school. Also, the online graduate engineering programs rank #44 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

George Washington University's online master's in systems engineering program is designed for working adults with busy lives. Classes are offered online on weeknights and can be accessed at all hours of the day or night. In fact, most courses are presented as recordings. This means that topics presented in class can be discussed online with your peers the following day. Online classes include decision making with uncertainty, knowledge management, information and software engineering, systems engineering, and the management of technical organizations. George Washington University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 56th best national institution and 64th best value school. Also, the online graduate engineering programs are ranked #55 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

For those in search of an accredited online master's in industrial and systems engineering program, Drexel University offers an advanced degree in systems engineering. This highly flexible program offers busy and working students online coursework options that include a wide variety of electives. Online courses are taught by university professors with experience teaching in the classroom. In fact, the same professors who instruct on campus also lead the online courses. Courses include integrated risk management, sustainment and integrated logistics, systems engineering process, and systems integration and test. Drexel is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 96th best national university and 65th best value school. Also, the online graduate engineering programs rank #26 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

One of the top online master's in industrial and systems engineering programs on our list is located at Stevens Institute of Technology. Stevens offers an online master's in systems engineering degree designed for working students with a background in engineering or closely related discipline. Courses are taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. These courses include fundamentals of systems engineering, project management of complex systems, simulation and modeling, systems architecture and design, and systems integration. Stevens is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 71st best national university. The school's online graduate engineering programs are also ranked. In fact, the online graduate engineering programs are listed #39 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

New York University's Tandon School of Engineering offers an accredited and ranked online master's in industrial engineering degree program designed for working professionals. Admission requirements for the online program are parallel to the on-campus requirements, including a bachelor's in a related discipline. All courses are taught online by NYU professors. These courses include facility planning and design, factory simulation, production science, and quality control and improvement. A total of 30 credits are required to satisfy degree requirements. NYU is ranked by major publications like Forbes magazine, The Princeton Review, and U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school as the 36th best national university. Also, the online graduate engineering programs rank #11 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

Case Western Reserve University offers an online master's in systems engineering degree program that is open to busy and working individuals with a bachelor's degree in engineering. A total of 27 credit hours are required and comprised of four core courses and five technical elective courses. Classes are taught by university professors who instruct on campus. In fact, the online option mirrors the traditional master's in systems engineering degree program. Case Western Reserve is an accredited and ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as the 37th best national university and 43rd best value school. Also, the graduate engineering school is ranked #50 out of more than 800 institutions with graduate schools.

Columbia University's online master's in industrial engineering degree program combines systems engineering with industrial engineering studies. The program is 100% online and designed for those with an undergraduate engineering degree from an accredited institution. Admission requires satisfactory GRE scores and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better. All courses are delivered online and include applied systems engineering, optimization models and methods, and systems engineering tools and methods. Students also take several electives in various study groups like infrastructure and sustainability or biological systems. Columbia University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 5th best national university in the country. Also, the graduate online engineering programs are ranked #3 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.