Industrial Engineering at North Dakota State University-Main Campus

Fargo, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
71
Optimistic
70
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,873/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (12.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #42 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $761K $744K $657K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.5x 17.1x 15.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 12.3x 12.0x 10.6x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 71 70 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,428
Out-of-state: $62,044 (12.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,336
-50% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,625
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$85,379
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,873/yr, roughly in line with the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 17.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 43% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $68,873 far exceeding the $25,625 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #42 out of 93 programs, North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Industrial Engineering offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $68,873 to $85,379 shows 24% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About North Dakota State University-Main Campus

North Dakota State University-Main Campus accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 9,567 students in Fargo, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at North Dakota State University-Main Campus →

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 North Dakota State University-Main Campus

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

How does North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Industrial Engineering program score?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. North Dakota State University-Main Campus's Industrial Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Industrial Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Industrial Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 43% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →