Industrial Engineering at University of Minnesota-Duluth

Duluth, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,781/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (9.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs

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 $764K $747K $659K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.3x 13.0x 11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.7x 9.4x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$57,272
Out-of-state: $79,048 (9.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,856
-29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,592
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

University of Minnesota-Duluth's Industrial Engineering graduates start at $77,781/yr — above the $73,874 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.0x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,592 in median debt clears quickly against $77,781 in annual earnings.

Ranked #79 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, University of Minnesota-Duluth falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of Minnesota-Duluth

A 82% acceptance rate means University of Minnesota-Duluth is accessible to most applicants, serving 7,475 students in Duluth, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Duluth →

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 Minnesota-Duluth

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 University of Minnesota-Duluth?
This program scores 58/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Industrial Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $658,863 in decade earnings vs $764,027 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →