Industrial Engineering Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Industrial Engineering degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$93K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Industrial Engineering in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Industrial Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $66,375.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Industrial Engineering Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Industrial Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Industrial Engineering ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Industrial Engineering degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$35,400
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
3.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$682,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($796,500) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Industrial Engineering in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Industrial Engineering
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Industrial Engineering in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Industrial Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Industrial Engineering Job Titles
Industrial Engineering in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$66K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$68K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$107K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$70K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$75K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$69K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$77K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$73K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Roanoke
Petroleum Engineering
$44K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Industrial Engineering Degree in Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.