Industrial Engineeringat Montana State University
Graduates earn $64,082/yr in their first year — about 13.0% below the national Industrial Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $647K; scenarios range from $584K to $657K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Montana State University
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Montana State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Industrial Engineering
How Montana State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Montana State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Montana State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Industrial Engineering offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Industrial Engineering trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Industrial Engineering at Montana State University
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.