Industrial Engineeringat North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Graduates earn $81,055/yr in their first year — about 10.0% above the national Industrial Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $812K; scenarios range from $708K to $834K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at NC State
NC State's Industrial Engineering program benefits immensely from its prime location within the dynamic Research Triangle Park. This proximity provides unparalleled access to internships and full-time roles with leading tech, manufacturing, and consulting firms, giving graduates a significant head start in a highly competitive field. You'll find yourself designing efficient systems, optimizing supply chains, and improving operational workflows across diverse sectors, often stepping into leadership or consulting capacities early in your career.
The nature of industrial engineering is evolving rapidly, with increasing integration of advanced analytics and automation tools. This means your future role will shift towards higher-level strategic optimization and human-system integration. To thrive, focus on developing robust analytical and data interpretation skills, but also cultivate soft skills like strategic thinking and human-centered process design, ensuring you leverage technology to solve complex problems.
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 NC State'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 NC State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at NC State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, 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 NC State
What does a 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
At 75/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Industrial Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
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.