Best degree programs for Industrial Engineers, ranked by enrollment
5 college programs and 311 schools train Industrial Engineers. Compare graduates per year, cost and pay, $102,440 median wage, 365,740 U.S. jobs. Federal data.
5 college programs at 311 schools train industrial engineers, graduating 21,568 people a year (IPEDS completions). The largest is Industrial Engineering. The job pays a median of $102,440 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About industrial engineers
Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes, including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost analysis, and production coordination.
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
5 degree programs that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Industrial Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.3501 | 8,011 | 37.1% | 137 | $74,748 | $24,989 |
| 2 | Engineering/Industrial Managementmain feeder CIP 15.1501 | 7,899 | 36.6% | 188 | $68,912 | $25,236 |
| 3 | Systems Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.2701 | 4,481 | 20.8% | 93 | $79,942 | $20,500 |
| 4 | Manufacturing Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.3601 | 804 | 3.7% | 71 | $72,154 | $21,457 |
| 5 | Packaging Sciencemain feeder CIP 15.1503 | 373 | 1.7% | 10 | $68,912 | $25,236 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder programs | 652 | Systems Engineering | 91% | — | 24% |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 538 | Industrial Engineering | 84% | — | 57% |
| 3 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA Public · 3 feeder programs | 503 | Industrial Engineering | 94% | — | 14% |
| 4 | Trine University - Regional/Non - Traditional Campuses Angola, IN Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 461 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 0% | $21,976 | 40% |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 458 | Systems Engineering | 94% | $11,888 | 6% |
| 6 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · 2 feeder programs | 457 | Industrial Engineering | 83% | — | 50% |
| 7 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 408 | Systems Engineering | 87% | $34,827 | 48% |
| 8 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 3 feeder programs | 374 | Industrial Engineering | 93% | — | 16% |
| 9 | New York University New York, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 351 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 88% | $29,023 | 9% |
| 10 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR Public · 2 feeder programs | 351 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 71% | — | 74% |
| 11 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 4 feeder programs | 332 | Industrial Engineering | 68% | — | 90% |
| 12 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CA Public · 1 feeder programs | 331 | Systems Engineering | — | — | — |
| 13 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · 2 feeder programs | 310 | Industrial Engineering | 87% | — | 38% |
| 14 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · 3 feeder programs | 308 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 85% | — | 42% |
| 15 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 3 feeder programs | 303 | Industrial Engineering | 86% | — | 55% |
| 16 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 300 | Systems Engineering | 95% | $17,613 | 9% |
| 17 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · 3 feeder programs | 275 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 64% | — | 73% |
| 18 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 3 feeder programs | 253 | Industrial Engineering | 85% | — | 42% |
| 19 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 235 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 97% | $16,260 | 6% |
| 20 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 233 | Industrial Engineering | 91% | $18,925 | 5% |
| 21 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 230 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 84% | $29,789 | 47% |
| 22 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 2 feeder programs | 209 | Industrial Engineering | 86% | — | 61% |
| 23 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 209 | Industrial Engineering | 75% | — | 74% |
| 24 | Wichita State University Wichita, KS Public · 4 feeder programs | 209 | Industrial Engineering | 51% | — | 94% |
| 25 | Auburn University Auburn, AL Public · 3 feeder programs | 204 | Industrial Engineering | 82% | — | 46% |
| 26 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · 2 feeder programs | 197 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 57% | — | 93% |
| 27 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 3 feeder programs | 196 | Industrial Engineering | 90% | — | 45% |
| 28 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 3 feeder programs | 193 | Industrial Engineering | 78% | — | 40% |
| 29 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 3 feeder programs | 192 | Industrial Engineering | 88% | — | 61% |
| 30 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · 3 feeder programs | 191 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 83% | — | 60% |
| 31 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 185 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 92% | $12,032 | 4% |
| 32 | University of Houston Houston, TX Public · 3 feeder programs | 177 | Industrial Engineering | 65% | — | 74% |
| 33 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 175 | Systems Engineering | 96% | $11,666 | 5% |
| 34 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs | 175 | Industrial Engineering | 95% | $14,799 | 8% |
| 35 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · 4 feeder programs | 162 | Industrial Engineering | 75% | — | 89% |
| 36 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · 2 feeder programs | 156 | Industrial Engineering | 54% | — | 80% |
| 37 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 156 | Systems Engineering | 96% | — | 17% |
| 38 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · 3 feeder programs | 152 | Industrial Engineering | 74% | — | 42% |
| 39 | Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Daytona Beach, FL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder programs | 150 | Systems Engineering | 21% | $21,266 | 58% |
| 40 | Binghamton University Vestal, NY Public · 2 feeder programs | 148 | Industrial Engineering | 82% | — | 39% |
| 41 | New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ Public · 4 feeder programs | 148 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 73% | — | 65% |
| 42 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · 2 feeder programs | 146 | Industrial Engineering | 77% | — | 43% |
| 43 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Public · 1 feeder programs | 145 | Packaging Science | 81% | — | 85% |
| 44 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · 4 feeder programs | 144 | Industrial Engineering | 86% | — | 31% |
| 45 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Public · 1 feeder programs | 141 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 55% | — | 82% |
| 46 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · 3 feeder programs | 136 | Systems Engineering | 68% | — | 86% |
| 47 | University of Louisville Louisville, KY Public · 2 feeder programs | 135 | Industrial Engineering | 61% | — | 79% |
| 48 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · 3 feeder programs | 132 | Systems Engineering | 82% | — | 61% |
| 49 | San Jose State University San Jose, CA Public · 3 feeder programs | 132 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 69% | — | 85% |
| 50 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · 1 feeder programs | 130 | Engineering/Industrial Management | 58% | — | 91% |
What industrial engineers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $104,560 | 30,980 | 0.94× | 23 | 1,833 |
| New York | $102,640 | 11,810 | 0.52× | 18 | 1,708 |
| Florida | $101,610 | 14,050 | 0.60× | 13 | 1,479 |
| California | $124,600 | 32,680 | 0.76× | 22 | 1,451 |
| Indiana | $97,480 | 11,680 | 1.55× | 12 | 1,258 |
| Michigan | $101,680 | 30,990 | 2.99× | 16 | 1,022 |
| Massachusetts | $109,420 | 11,470 | 1.34× | 12 | 979 |
| Pennsylvania | $99,560 | 13,180 | 0.92× | 17 | 859 |
| Illinois | $100,540 | 18,640 | 1.30× | 9 | 797 |
| Ohio | $100,060 | 23,480 | 1.80× | 17 | 699 |
| North Carolina | $99,310 | 11,580 | 1.00× | 7 | 667 |
| New Jerseymoderate | $103,840 | 6,870 | 0.68× | 4 | 660 |
| Georgia | $100,100 | 8,940 | 0.78× | 5 | 648 |
| Maryland | $119,930 | 3,900 | 0.60× | 5 | 639 |
| Virginia | $102,550 | 5,580 | 0.58× | 8 | 634 |
| Missouri | $99,290 | 5,070 | 0.73× | 6 | 566 |
| Arizonamoderate | $108,280 | 7,520 | 0.99× | 3 | 529 |
| Arkansasmoderate | $98,410 | 1,710 | 0.56× | 3 | 497 |
| South Carolina | $101,060 | 7,960 | 1.47× | 7 | 401 |
| Wisconsin | $96,980 | 13,070 | 1.89× | 11 | 335 |
| Colorado | $109,750 | 5,200 | 0.77× | 8 | 314 |
| Tennessee | $99,080 | 7,440 | 0.96× | 7 | 311 |
| Kansas | $99,830 | 3,450 | 1.02× | 5 | 305 |
| Alabamamoderate | $99,880 | 7,650 | 1.54× | 4 | 279 |
| Minnesota | $102,660 | 17,580 | 2.53× | 7 | 249 |
| District of Columbialimited | $103,300 | 160 | 0.10× | 2 | 239 |
| Louisianamoderate | $122,920 | 1,710 | 0.38× | 4 | 238 |
| Kentucky | $96,820 | 6,070 | 1.29× | 5 | 227 |
| Iowamoderate | $97,690 | 3,600 | 0.98× | 4 | 208 |
| Utahmoderate | $103,940 | 5,520 | 1.35× | 4 | 206 |
| Connecticut | $104,160 | 6,020 | 1.51× | 7 | 202 |
| Washington | $129,050 | 6,130 | 0.73× | 5 | 155 |
| Oklahomalimited | $97,510 | 2,170 | 0.54× | 2 | 125 |
| Mississippilimited | $95,830 | 2,450 | 0.90× | 1 | 123 |
| South Dakotalimited | $93,200 | 830 | 0.77× | 2 | 91 |
| West Virginiamoderate | $108,360 | 850 | 0.51× | 4 | 90 |
| Oregonlimited | $128,290 | 5,810 | 1.26× | 2 | 88 |
| New Mexicomoderate | $128,090 | 1,140 | 0.56× | 3 | 47 |
| Rhode Islandmoderate | $109,350 | 990 | 0.84× | 3 | 44 |
| North Dakotamoderate | $96,940 | 600 | 0.59× | 3 | 42 |
| Mainemoderate | $101,030 | 1,030 | 0.68× | 3 | 35 |
| Montanalimited | $104,430 | 390 | 0.33× | 1 | 19 |
| Vermontlimited | $103,010 | 440 | 0.62× | 1 | 11 |
Skills and tools
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Estimate production costs, cost saving methods, and the effects of product design changes on expenditures for management review, action, and control.
- Plan and establish sequence of operations to fabricate and assemble parts or products and to promote efficient utilization.
- Analyze statistical data and product specifications to determine standards and establish quality and reliability objectives of finished product.
- Confer with clients, vendors, staff, and management personnel regarding purchases, product and production specifications, manufacturing capabilities, or project status.
- Communicate with management and user personnel to develop production and design standards.
- Evaluate precision and accuracy of production and testing equipment and engineering drawings to formulate corrective action plan.
- Recommend methods for improving utilization of personnel, material, and utilities.
- Record or oversee recording of information to ensure currency of engineering drawings and documentation of production problems.
Skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Writing3.9
- Monitoring3.7
- Active Learning3.5
- Mathematics3.5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.2
- Production and Processing4.0
- Design3.9
- English Language3.9
- Mathematics3.8
- Mechanical3.6
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning4.0
- Inductive Reasoning4.0
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Written Comprehension4.0
- Oral Expression4.0
- Problem Sensitivity3.9
Core activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.5
- Getting Information4.4
- Working with Computers4.3
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates4.2
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.2
- Analyzing Data or Information4.2
Tools and technology
hotmarks an O*NET hot technologyHow to get in
How to become a Industrial Engineer
Job zone 4 of 5 · SVP 7.0 to < 8.0- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 5 majors mapped to Industrial Engineers5 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 14.2701Systems Engineering
- 14.3501Industrial Engineering
- 14.3601Manufacturing Engineering
- 15.1501Engineering/Industrial Management
- 15.1503Packaging Science
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become an Industrial Engineer?+
Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Industrial Engineering, which awarded 8,011 degrees in 2024-25, 37.1% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.
Which college majors lead to becoming an Industrial Engineer?+
The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 5 programs to this occupation. The largest are Engineering-Related Fields, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering. Together they graduate about 21,568 people a year.
How much do industrial engineers earn?+
The median is $102,440 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $74,370 at the 10th percentile to $159,860 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for industrial engineers growing?+
BLS projects a +11.0% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, much faster than average, with roughly 25,200 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
311 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 5 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do industrial engineers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Engineer, Ergonomist, Plant Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Quality Engineer among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 17-2112.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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