Industrial Engineering Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Industrial Engineering degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$77K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$108K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Industrial Engineering in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Industrial Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Industrial Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Operations Research and Lean Manufacturing. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $77,250.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Industrial Engineering Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Industrial Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Industrial Engineering ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Industrial Engineering degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$41,200
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$837,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($927,000) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Industrial Engineering in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Industrial Engineering
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Industrial Engineering in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Industrial Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Industrial Engineering Job Titles
Industrial Engineering in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$76K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$63K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$62K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$76K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$71K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$84K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$81K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$85K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Athens
Petroleum Engineering
$52K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$52K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Industrial Engineering Degree in Athens — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Industrial Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.