Industrial Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,876/yr (9% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.2x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #11 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $911K $885K $762K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.7x 17.2x 14.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.8x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 72

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,436
Out-of-state: $153,460 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,168
-42% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,000
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$105,342
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Ohio State University-Main Campus's Industrial Engineering graduates start at $80,876/yr — above the $73,874 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 17.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Industrial Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $21,000 in median debt clears quickly against $80,876 in annual earnings.

Ohio State University-Main Campus ranks #11 among 93 Industrial Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 30% earnings increase from $80,876 to $105,342 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State University-Main Campus's 51% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 44,617 students in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Ohio State University-Main Campus →

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 Ohio State University-Main Campus

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 does a 74/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Industrial Engineering at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
The 43% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Ohio State University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Industrial Engineering?
Among 93 Industrial Engineering programs, Ohio State University-Main Campus's #11 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →