Industrial Engineering at University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
75 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
76
Optimistic
75
Base Case
73
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,968/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 23.7x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $952K $922K $790K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.4x 23.7x 20.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.0x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 76 75 73

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,992
Out-of-state: $115,088 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$70,100
-80% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,405
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$108,211
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $75,968/yr, roughly in line with the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 23.7x 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 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $75,968 far exceeding the $25,405 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #5 out of 93 programs, University of Arkansas's Industrial Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $75,968 to $108,211 shows 42% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas accepts 72% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 27,312 students in Fayetteville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas →

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 of Arkansas

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 of Arkansas's Industrial Engineering program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Arkansas'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.
Why does University of Arkansas rank so high for Industrial Engineering?
The #5 ranking out of 93 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →