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Industrial Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $73,822/yr (-0% vs median)

AI Risk High (43% exposed)

Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)

ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #48 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	$746K	$730K	$646K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.8x	13.5x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.7x	5.1x
Probability of Field Employment	68%	64%	48%
DegreeOutlook Score	70	69	67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$53,936

Out-of-state: $127,896 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$72,436

-34% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$84,642

15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,822 track close to the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 13.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Industrial Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $21,500 in median debt against $73,822 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #48 ranking among 93 Industrial Engineering programs places The University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $73,822 to $84,642 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With a 46% acceptance rate, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 28,763 students in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

At 69/100, the score looks reasonable — but Industrial Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Industrial Engineering at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?

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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →