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Engineering · Industrial Engineering Rank #18 of 93

Industrial Engineeringat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $86,476/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Industrial Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $905K; scenarios range from $777K to $933K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
73 STRONG
74
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$86,476
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$905K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

Michigan's Industrial Engineering program benefits immensely from the university's elite engineering reputation and strong industry ties, particularly within the Midwest's robust manufacturing and automotive sectors, though graduates increasingly branch into tech, consulting, and healthcare nationwide. This program doesn't just teach theory; it cultivates problem-solvers adept at optimizing complex systems and driving efficiency. While the data points to high AI risk, remember that IE professionals are often at the forefront of designing and implementing the very automation and AI tools that transform industries, positioning you as a key manager of these technological shifts rather than a casualty. Your skills in process improvement and supply chain management are universally valued. To maximize your prospects, actively seek out diverse internship experiences throughout your degree to apply your knowledge and build a powerful professional network.

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
$777K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple11.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$905K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple13.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$933K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score74/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan'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 Michigan 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 Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, 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 Michigan

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Industrial Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

At 73/100, 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor?

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.

Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor one of the best schools for Industrial Engineering?

Among 93 Industrial Engineering programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's #18 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.