Program Analysis
At $81,055 per year, Industrial Engineering graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn slightly above the $73,874 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 22.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 15% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Industrial Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $21,096 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #6 of 93 programs, this Industrial Engineering program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
The limited growth from $81,055 to $96,510 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.