Industrial Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
61
Optimistic
61
Base Case
58
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,764/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 4.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #67 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 $940K $911K $782K
Earnings Multiple 4.1x 4.0x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 61 58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$228,064
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,776
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$30,677
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$105,893
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $72,764/yr, roughly in line with the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 4.0x 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 17% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $72,764 far exceeding the $30,677 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #67 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, Rochester Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $72,764 to $105,893 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 13,225 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $118,776 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rochester Institute of Technology →

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 Rochester Institute of Technology

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Industrial Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology?
This program scores 61/100 — 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 $781,953 in decade earnings vs $940,035 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →