Industrial Engineering: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 98 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Strong payoff
+$274,361 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
Observed earnings clearly outpace the comparison earnings and estimated education cost in this scenario.
4.8 yrsModeled economic break-even
+108%Modeled 10-year ROI
$97,790Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$97,790Median reported earnings · year 4
$95,603Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,989Median federal debt
92thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
98Reporting programs
96With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $99,370
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 1
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $97,790
- Federal debt
- $24,989
- Reporting programs
- 98
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $117,338
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 19
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $99,764
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$91,614National median$97,79075th percentile$102,439
96 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Northwestern University$138,7202Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus$128,0033Lehigh University$121,4984University of Michigan-Ann Arbor$117,9305Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$116,6416California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$112,7977University of Southern California$112,1508University of Connecticut$111,6729University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus$111,67210University of Connecticut-Avery Point$111,672Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Architectural and Engineering ManagersSOC 11-9041 · 1 crosswalk linksEngineering Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1032 · 1 crosswalk linksIndustrial EngineersSOC 17-2112 · 1 crosswalk linksIndustrial Production ManagersSOC 11-3051 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Evanston, IL | $138,720 | $17,912 | +216% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Atlanta, GA | $128,003 | $21,750 | +263% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Lehigh UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $121,498 | $23,834 | +133% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborBachelor's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $117,930 | $20,306 | +214% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $116,641 | $22,870 | +156% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $112,797 | $19,691 | +175% | Strong payoff |
| 7 | University of Southern CaliforniaBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $112,150 | $18,250 | +116% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $111,672 | $24,889 | +138% | Strong payoff |
| 9 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $111,672 | $24,889 | +198% | Strong payoff |
| 10 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $111,672 | $24,889 | +183% | Strong payoff |
| 11 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $111,672 | $24,889 | +170% | Strong payoff |
| 12 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $111,672 | $24,889 | +171% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | Northeastern UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boston, MA | $111,430 | $25,000 | +119% | Strong payoff |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $110,711 | $23,577 | +163% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $109,575 | $18,027 | +173% | Strong payoff |
| 16 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $107,093 | $24,125 | +143% | Strong payoff |
| 17 | Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | West Lafayette, IN | $107,031 | $19,427 | +160% | Strong payoff |
| 18 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $106,932 | $21,875 | +148% | Strong payoff |
| 19 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rochester, NY | $105,313 | $30,750 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegeBachelor's Degree | Erie, PA | $104,758 | $25,000 | +115% | Strong payoff |
| 21 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $104,758 | $25,000 | +92% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | University of LouisvilleBachelor's Degree | Louisville, KY | $104,538 | $23,000 | +136% | Strong payoff |
| 23 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $103,143 | $22,330 | +145% | Strong payoff |
| 24 | SUNY Maritime CollegeBachelor's Degree | Throggs Neck, NY | $102,563 | $24,989 | +114% | Strong payoff |
| 25 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $102,439 | $19,375 | +139% | Strong payoff |
| 26 | Oakland UniversityBachelor's Degree | Rochester Hills, MI | $102,222 | $29,750 | +164% | Strong payoff |
| 27 | Wayne State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $101,990 | $24,340 | +147% | Strong payoff |
| 28 | Oregon State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Corvallis, OR | $101,653 | $25,437 | +119% | Strong payoff |
| 29 | Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBachelor's Degree | Bend, OR | $101,653 | $25,437 | +125% | Strong payoff |
| 30 | Worcester Polytechnic InstituteBachelor's Degree | Worcester, MA | $101,554 | $26,254 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | New Jersey Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $101,547 | $25,000 | +130% | Strong payoff |
| 32 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, MO | $101,380 | $26,512 | +116% | Strong payoff |
| 33 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $100,172 | $22,309 | +121% | Strong payoff |
| 34 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $99,441 | $23,250 | +96% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's Degree | Saint Clairsville, OH | $99,364 | $27,000 | +178% | Strong payoff |
| 36 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $99,364 | $27,000 | +168% | Strong payoff |
| 37 | Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's Degree | Ironton, OH | $99,364 | $27,000 | +167% | Strong payoff |
| 38 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $99,364 | $27,000 | +168% | Strong payoff |
| 39 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $99,364 | $27,000 | +104% | Strong payoff |
| 40 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's Degree | Zanesville, OH | $99,364 | $27,000 | +168% | Strong payoff |
| 41 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $99,180 | $25,207 | +123% | Strong payoff |
| 42 | University of MiamiBachelor's Degree | Coral Gables, FL | $99,068 | $15,110 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | University of ArkansasBachelor's Degree | Fayetteville, AR | $98,765 | $26,500 | +113% | Strong payoff |
| 44 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $98,654 | $25,250 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 45 | Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteBachelor's Degree | Troy, NY | $98,509 | $22,750 | +65% | Positive payoff |
| 46 | University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusBachelor's Degree | Norman, OK | $98,394 | $26,125 | +121% | Strong payoff |
| 47 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $98,266 | $29,000 | +108% | Strong payoff |
| 48 | University of Massachusetts-AmherstBachelor's Degree | Amherst, MA | $97,791 | $27,000 | +96% | Positive payoff |
| 49 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's Degree | Arlington, TX | $97,788 | $22,503 | +124% | Strong payoff |
| 50 | University of Minnesota-DuluthBachelor's Degree | Duluth, MN | $97,732 | $24,185 | +107% | Strong payoff |
| 51 | Florida State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tallahassee, FL | $96,504 | $20,000 | +129% | Strong payoff |
| 52 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $95,918 | $19,708 | +92% | Positive payoff |
| 53 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $95,835 | $25,000 | +125% | Strong payoff |
| 54 | Binghamton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Vestal, NY | $95,354 | $21,500 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 55 | University of IowaBachelor's Degree | Iowa City, IA | $95,347 | $22,540 | +86% | Positive payoff |
| 56 | University of Alabama in HuntsvilleBachelor's Degree | Huntsville, AL | $95,153 | $31,000 | +97% | Positive payoff |
| 57 | Liberty UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lynchburg, VA | $94,928 | Not available | +68% | Positive payoff |
| 58 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $94,814 | $21,500 | +110% | Strong payoff |
| 59 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $94,748 | $21,500 | +94% | Positive payoff |
| 60 | Oklahoma State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Stillwater, OK | $94,692 | $26,000 | +99% | Positive payoff |
| 61 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $94,382 | $26,925 | +78% | Positive payoff |
| 62 | California State University, East BayBachelor's Degree | Hayward, CA | $93,793 | Not available | +125% | Strong payoff |
| 63 | North Carolina A&T State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $93,183 | $31,000 | +116% | Strong payoff |
| 64 | Kansas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manhattan, KS | $93,098 | $25,000 | +87% | Positive payoff |
| 65 | Iowa State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ames, IA | $92,914 | $23,750 | +88% | Positive payoff |
| 66 | South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rapid City, SD | $92,815 | $26,000 | +83% | Positive payoff |
| 67 | Clemson UniversityBachelor's Degree | Clemson, SC | $92,491 | $26,750 | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 68 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $92,332 | $27,000 | +89% | Positive payoff |
| 69 | Western Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kalamazoo, MI | $92,306 | Not available | +96% | Positive payoff |
| 70 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $92,241 | $22,802 | +91% | Positive payoff |
| 71 | Lamar UniversityBachelor's Degree | Beaumont, TX | $91,806 | $28,351 | +115% | Strong payoff |
| 72 | University of Central FloridaBachelor's Degree | Orlando, FL | $91,630 | $26,273 | +110% | Strong payoff |
| 73 | East Texas A&M UniversityBachelor's Degree | Commerce, TX | $91,614 | Not available | +105% | Strong payoff |
| 74 | Texas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $90,729 | $28,750 | +85% | Positive payoff |
| 75 | University of Rhode IslandBachelor's Degree | Kingston, RI | $90,399 | Not available | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 76 | Indiana Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Fort Wayne, IN | $90,363 | $32,750 | +66% | Positive payoff |
| 77 | Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional StudiesBachelor's Degree | Fort Wayne, IN | $90,363 | $32,750 | +73% | Positive payoff |
| 78 | University of South FloridaBachelor's Degree | Tampa, FL | $90,040 | $24,633 | +105% | Strong payoff |
| 79 | Bradley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Peoria, IL | $89,362 | $25,788 | +64% | Positive payoff |
| 80 | University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleBachelor's Degree | Platteville, WI | $88,918 | $27,694 | +80% | Positive payoff |
| 81 | Louisiana Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ruston, LA | $88,619 | $31,000 | +92% | Positive payoff |
| 82 | Montana State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bozeman, MT | $88,087 | $26,000 | +60% | Positive payoff |
| 83 | Milwaukee School of EngineeringBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $87,279 | $27,000 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 84 | Youngstown State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Youngstown, OH | $86,340 | $25,000 | +79% | Positive payoff |
| 85 | Kettering UniversityBachelor's Degree | Flint, MI | $86,265 | Not available | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 86 | University of Illinois ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $86,202 | $22,247 | +84% | Positive payoff |
| 87 | University at BuffaloBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $86,118 | $24,750 | +56% | Positive payoff |
| 88 | North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Fargo, ND | $84,016 | $26,000 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 89 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $82,763 | $22,536 | +57% | Positive payoff |
| 90 | Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleBachelor's Degree | Edwardsville, IL | $82,744 | Not available | +58% | Positive payoff |
| 91 | Northern Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Dekalb, IL | $82,584 | $23,750 | +61% | Positive payoff |
| 92 | The University of Texas at El PasoBachelor's Degree | El Paso, TX | $82,391 | $15,552 | +72% | Positive payoff |
| 93 | Morgan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | $81,416 | $30,500 | +52% | Positive payoff |
| 94 | University of Puerto Rico-MayaguezBachelor's Degree | Mayaguez, PR | $75,096 | $9,500 | +20% | Positive payoff |
| 95 | Kent State University at KentBachelor's Degree | Kent, OH | $72,958 | $29,000 | +6% | Positive payoff |
| 96 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-BayamonBachelor's Degree | Bayamon, PR | $56,541 | $12,000 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | University of South Carolina AikenBachelor's Degree | Aiken, SC | Not available | $22,828 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $11,641 |
| 98 | Universidad Politecnica de Puerto RicoBachelor's Degree | Hato Rey, PR | Not available | $23,182 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $17,540 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.