Home › University of Southern California › Industrial Engineering

Industrial Engineering at University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
65 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
66
Optimistic
65
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $87,807/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #54 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 $1,200K $1,154K $963K
Earnings Multiple 4.4x 4.2x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 65 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$272,948
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$127,708
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,704
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$137,590
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Southern California's Industrial Engineering graduates start at $87,807/yr — above the $73,874 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 4.2x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 20% 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 — $17,704 in median debt clears quickly against $87,807 in annual earnings.

A #54 ranking among 93 Industrial Engineering programs places University of Southern California in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $87,807-to-$137,590 earnings arc over five years reflects a 57% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About University of Southern California

Only 10% of applicants gain admission to University of Southern California, reflecting elite selectivity, with 20,817 students enrolled in Los Angeles, CA. After financial aid, the average student pays $127,708 over four years — 53% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern California →

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

Compare this program → View all 93 schools offering Industrial Engineering →

Industrial Engineering at Other Schools

SUNY Maritime College ($91,470) Northwestern University ($89,811) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($87,826) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($87,226) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($86,476) Kettering University ($85,105) North Carolina A & T State University ($83,427) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ($82,437)

Other Majors at University of Southern California

Computer Science ($137,284) Computer Software and Media Applications ($103,071) Real Estate ($98,763) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($89,684) Civil Engineering ($85,262) Mechanical Engineering ($83,356) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($80,508) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,980)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Industrial Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at University of Southern California?
At 65/100, the score looks reasonable — but Industrial Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Industrial Engineering at University of Southern California?
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.
What do students actually pay for Industrial Engineering at University of Southern California?
The 53% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $272,948. At a net cost of $127,708, the earnings multiple improves substantially.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →