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Industrial Engineering at Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $65,739/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (43% exposed)

Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)

ROI 16.3x earnings multiple (9.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #76 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	$670K	$659K	$593K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.5x	16.3x	14.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	9.9x	9.8x	8.8x
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)

$40,500

Out-of-state: $67,464 (9.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$48,836

-21% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$30,875

5.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,739/yr, roughly in line with the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.3x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $65,739 far exceeding the $30,875 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #76 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, Louisiana Tech University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University accepts 73% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,819 in Ruston, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Louisiana Tech University →

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 Louisiana Tech University

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 Louisiana Tech University?

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 $593,210 in decade earnings vs $670,150 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →