Industrial Engineering Degree in High Point, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Industrial Engineering degree analysis for High Point, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$89K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.6 yrs
in High Point
Cost of Living
84.5
index (100 = avg)
Industrial Engineering in High Point, NC Overview
While High Point has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Industrial Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,724/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 High Point is approximately $63,375.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,200/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,724/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,013/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
60%
Industrial Engineering Salary in High Point (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for High Point's cost of living index of 84.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Industrial Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.High Point adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Industrial Engineering ROI Calculator for High Point
Estimate your return on investment for a Industrial Engineering degree using local High Point tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,200 | Private avg: $34,000
High Point avg aid: $8,013/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$33,800
vs HS diploma in High Point
ROI Payback Period
2.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in High Point
$672,804
Lifetime earnings premium ($760,500) minus total education cost ($87,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Industrial Engineering in High Point
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in High Point for Industrial Engineering
High Point State University
public
$9,967/yr
$39,868 total
University of High Point
public
$9,547/yr
$38,188 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
High Point Community College
$5,591/yr
Top Employers for Industrial Engineering in High Point
High Point offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Industrial Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key High Point Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Industrial Engineering Job Titles
Industrial Engineering in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$67K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$62K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$68K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$82K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$80K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$68K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$81K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$71K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in High Point
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Industrial Engineering Degree in High Point — 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 High Point.