Industrial Engineering at Clemson University

Clemson, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,709/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #43 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Industrial Engineering graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $846K $823K $716K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.6x 13.2x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.2x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$62,216
Out-of-state: $157,992 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$88,448
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,384
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $74,709/yr, Industrial Engineering graduates from Clemson University land near the $73,874 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Industrial Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Industrial Engineering's typical career paths, with 43% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $24,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #43 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, Clemson University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $74,709 to $96,384 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Clemson University

A 38% acceptance rate puts Clemson University in competitive admissions territory, with 22,778 students enrolled in Clemson, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Clemson University →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Industrial production managers $121,440/yr
Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Industrial Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at Clemson University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Industrial Engineering at Clemson University?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Industrial Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Industrial Engineering careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $715,972 in decade earnings vs $845,689 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →