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Industrial Engineering at Montana State University

Bozeman, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
60
Optimistic
60
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,082/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 20.0x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #69 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 $657K $647K $584K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.3x 20.0x 18.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 60 60 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,332
Out-of-state: $125,348 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$82,372
-155% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $64,082 track close to the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 20.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Industrial Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $26,000 in median debt against $64,082 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #69 ranking among 93 Industrial Engineering programs places Montana State University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About Montana State University

Montana State University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 14,472 students in Bozeman, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State 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

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) University of Southern California ($87,807) 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)

Other Majors at Montana State University

Construction Engineering Technologies ($77,139) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,060) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,915) Mechanical Engineering ($68,469) Civil Engineering ($67,373) Computer Engineering ($67,015) Computer Science ($66,918) Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($62,605)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Industrial Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 60/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at Montana State University?
At 60/100, 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 Montana State University?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →