2026 Best Value Industrial Production Technology Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial production technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial Production Technology Schools
Leading the list is Lake Land College, our #1 best value for industrial production technology in Illinois. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial production technology graduates is $7,769. Early-career industrial production technology graduates make about $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kankakee Community College earned it the #2 place for industrial production technology. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the industrial production technology program here. Industrial Production Technology graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial production technology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for industrial production technology graduates is $11,995. Industrial Production Technology graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial production technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the industrial production technology program here. Soon after graduation, industrial production technology degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Oakton Community College one of the best values for industrial production technology. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the industrial production technology program here. Early-career industrial production technology graduates make about $48,838. That is a strong return on a $7,750 median debt.
College Of Lake County landed the #6 spot for industrial production technology value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for industrial production technology graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, industrial production technology degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Heartland Community College earned the #7 position for value in industrial production technology this year. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial production technology graduates is $13,266. Industrial Production Technology graduates of Heartland Community College earn a median of $48,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.
Western Illinois University earned the #8 position for value in industrial production technology this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for industrial production technology graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, industrial production technology degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for industrial production technology. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the industrial production technology program here. Early-career industrial production technology graduates make about $54,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #10 spot for industrial production technology value this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Industrial Production Technology graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Industrial Production Technology graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $73,283 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Industrial Production Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
