Home Schools University of Houston Industrial Engineering
Engineering · Industrial Engineering Rank #7 of 93

Industrial Engineeringat University of Houston

Graduates earn $76,147/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Industrial Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $855K; scenarios range from $740K to $880K depending on AI disruption.

Houston, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
75 STRONG
75
Optimistic
72
Pessimistic
Earnings
$76,147
1-year post-graduation
ROI
24.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$855K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Houston

The University of Houston's Industrial Engineering program benefits immensely from its prime location within one of the nation's largest industrial hubs. Houston's diverse economy, spanning energy, petrochemicals, aerospace, and a vast logistics network, creates a constant, high demand for engineers who can optimize complex systems and drive efficiency. This environment fosters strong recruitment pipelines directly into local industry, often leading to competitive offers straight out of school.

You'll find the program's practical focus, coupled with unparalleled access to internships and co-ops with major corporations, is a significant factor in your career trajectory. While AI risk appears high, your strategic value lies in leveraging these tools to enhance, not replace, human-centric system design. To truly excel, prioritize securing hands-on project experience and developing robust data analytics skills, crucial for navigating the evolving demands of modern industry.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$740K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple19.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$855K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple22.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$880K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score75/100
Earnings Multiple22.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Houston's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Industrial Engineering graduates typically work

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.

1
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Industrial production managers
+1.9% 10-yr growth · 17,100 openings/yr
$121,440/yr
Moderate
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
4
Industrial engineers
+11.0% 10-yr growth · 25,200 openings/yr
$101,140/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Industrial Engineering

How University of Houston stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
SUNY Maritime College
NY · Public
78
DW Score
$91K
1-yr earn
35.1x
ROI
Northwestern University
IL · Private nonprofit
65
DW Score
$90K
1-yr earn
4.2x
ROI
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
GA · Public
77
DW Score
$88K
1-yr earn
24.2x
ROI
University of Southern California
CA · Private nonprofit
65
DW Score
$88K
1-yr earn
4.0x
ROI
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
77
DW Score
$87K
1-yr earn
26.3x
ROI
Also at University of Houston

Other top programs at University of Houston

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Houston, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Industrial Engineering at University of Houston

What does a 75/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at University of Houston?

At 75/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Industrial Engineering at University of Houston?

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.