Industrial Engineering Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Optimization of complex systems and processes to improve efficiency and productivity.
Starting Salary
$75K
median
Mid-Career
$105K
salary
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
2.8%
rate
Industrial Engineering Overview
Optimization of complex systems and processes to improve efficiency and productivity.
Category
Engineering
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
66%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
12%
Lifetime Premium
$900K
Female Graduates
30%
Industrial Engineering Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$19,800
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$19,800
after scholarships
ROI Payback
0 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$880,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($900,000) minus net degree cost ($19,800)
Industrial Engineering Salary Progression
Common Industrial Engineering Careers
Industrial Engineer
Operations Manager
Supply Chain Analyst
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Industrial Engineering
#1
Georgia Tech
#2
University of Michigan
#3
Purdue
#4
Virginia Tech
#5
Penn State
Related Majors
Industrial Engineering Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Industrial Engineering Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for industrial engineering programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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