Industrial Engineering at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,476/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple (6.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #39 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 $855K $832K $723K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.8x 19.3x 16.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.0x 6.8x 5.9x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,128
Out-of-state: $122,288 (6.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$81,880
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,875
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$93,933
48% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $63,476/yr, roughly in line with the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 19.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 43% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $63,476 far exceeding the $20,875 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #39 out of 93 programs, University at Buffalo's Industrial Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $63,476 to $93,933 shows 48% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University at Buffalo

A 69% admission rate makes University at Buffalo accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 20,284 students enrolled in Buffalo, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →

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 University at Buffalo

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University at Buffalo's Industrial Engineering program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University at Buffalo's Industrial Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Industrial Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Industrial Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 43% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →