Industrial Engineeringat South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Graduates earn $70,216/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Industrial Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $685K; scenarios range from $613K to $698K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
At $70,216/yr, Industrial Engineering graduates from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology land near the $73,874 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Industrial Engineering programs nationally.
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 12% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $25,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #47 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $78,152 are relatively flat compared to the $70,216 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.
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 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology'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 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Other highest-scoring programs offered at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 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 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Industrial Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
This program scores 69/100 — 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 $612,600 in decade earnings vs $697,875 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.