undergraduate
Industrial engineering
Best schools with industrial engineering
What is an industrial engineering major?
Students on this path of study learn to employ scientific and mathematical principles to the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, material, information, and energy. Specific course topics include applied mathematics, physical sciences, the social sciences, engineering analysis, systems design, computer applications, and forecasting and evaluation methodology.
of students said hands-on experience was a highlight of this major.
of students found this major to be difficult.
of students said they were motivated to select this major because it fit their passion & interest.
of students and alumni plan on being or are currently employed in an occupation related to this major.
of students said complex concepts were a challenging aspect of the major.
How much do industrial engineering majors make?
median average salary
$100,000/yr
The national average salary for industrial engineering graduates in the United States is $100,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $207,300 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $31,000 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, industrial engineering graduates typically make between $60,000 and $145,000 per year.
How popular is industrial engineering as a major?
Each year, around 5,640 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and around 35 students obtain an associate degree in industrial engineering. In 2021, 5,876 students received a bachelor's degree and 27 students received an associate degree. This is 3% fewer industrial engineering majors than there were in 2020. Industrial engineering is a relatively popular major compared to other engineering majors.
Advice from industrial engineering majors
Share your experienceThink about your concentration and don't stress too much early on.
The whole emphasis of industrial engineering is splitting engineering and business/finance perspectives. This does not mean it’s easy.
Pay attention in class and seek help from the professor when something is not understood. Also safety is always the professors top priority so just follow their instruction in labs and you will be fine
You get to learn a lot about “systems” in general and how different engineering disciplines influence each other to get the desired outcome.