Industrial Engineering Degree in Wilmington, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Industrial Engineering degree analysis for Wilmington, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$100K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.8 yrs
in Wilmington
Cost of Living
95
index (100 = avg)
Industrial Engineering in Wilmington, NC Overview
While Wilmington has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Industrial Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $9,779/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 Wilmington is approximately $71,250.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$7,287/yr
Private Tuition
$34,393/yr
Room & Board
$9,779/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,831/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
48%
Industrial Engineering Salary in Wilmington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wilmington's cost of living index of 95 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Industrial Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $105,000 mid-career, $130,000 senior level.Wilmington adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
Industrial Engineering ROI Calculator for Wilmington
Estimate your return on investment for a Industrial Engineering degree using local Wilmington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,287 | Private avg: $34,393
Wilmington avg aid: $13,831/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$68,264
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,000
vs HS diploma in Wilmington
ROI Payback Period
1.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wilmington
$786,736
Lifetime earnings premium ($855,000) minus total education cost ($68,264)
Student Loan Payoff for Industrial Engineering in Wilmington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wilmington for Industrial Engineering
University of North Carolina Wilmington
public
$7,287/yr
$29,148 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Cape Fear Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Industrial Engineering in Wilmington
Wilmington offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Industrial Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wilmington 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
High Point, NC
$63K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Wilmington
Petroleum Engineering
$48K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$48K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Industrial Engineering Degree in Wilmington — 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 Wilmington.