Industrial Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
62 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
63
Optimistic
62
Base Case
60
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,787/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #64 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 $1,051K $1,015K $859K
Earnings Multiple 4.2x 4.1x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 63 62 60

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$247,536
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$132,556
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$117,724
57% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Industrial Engineering program produces graduates earning $74,787/yr — within striking distance of the $73,874 national average for this field.

An earnings multiple of 4.1x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

Some AI exposure exists in Industrial Engineering's typical career paths, with 43% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,500 in median debt clears quickly against $74,787 in annual earnings.

Ranked #64 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $117,724 show a 57% jump from the $74,787 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's 58% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 5,909 students in Troy, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $132,556 over four years — 46% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute →

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 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Industrial Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute?
This program scores 62/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Industrial Engineering programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Will AI replace Industrial Engineering careers?
With 43% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $859,286 in decade earnings vs $1,050,613 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →