Industrial Engineering Degree in Frederick, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Industrial Engineering degree analysis for Frederick, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$84K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$118K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.3 yrs
in Frederick
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Industrial Engineering in Frederick, MD Overview
While Frederick has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Industrial Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,475/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Industrial Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Operations Research and Lean Manufacturing. The adjusted starting salary in Frederick is approximately $84,375.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,475/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,491/yr
Unemployment
4.2%
Graduation Rate
66%
Industrial Engineering Salary in Frederick (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Frederick's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Industrial Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Frederick adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Industrial Engineering ROI Calculator for Frederick
Estimate your return on investment for a Industrial Engineering degree using local Frederick tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Frederick avg aid: $13,491/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$45,000
vs HS diploma in Frederick
ROI Payback Period
2.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Frederick
$907,400
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,012,500) minus total education cost ($105,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Industrial Engineering in Frederick
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Frederick for Industrial Engineering
Frederick State University
public
$11,147/yr
$44,588 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Frederick Community College
$6,149/yr
Top Employers for Industrial Engineering in Frederick
Frederick offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Industrial Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Frederick Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Industrial Engineering Job Titles
Industrial Engineering in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$98K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$95K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$92K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Waldorf, MD
$91K starting · COL 120.7
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$86K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$82K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$96K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$88K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Frederick
Petroleum Engineering
$56K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Industrial Engineering Degree in Frederick — 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 Frederick.