Industrial Engineering at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
72 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
72
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,894/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 14.5x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #34 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $839K $817K $711K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.8x 14.5x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.1x 5.9x 5.2x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 72 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,520
Out-of-state: $137,352 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$79,556
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,512
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,907
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,894 at University of Missouri-Columbia come in 8% above the national median of $73,874 for Industrial Engineering programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.5x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $79,894 far exceeding the $26,512 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #34 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, University of Missouri-Columbia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $79,894 to $96,907 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 23,118 students enrolled in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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 University of Missouri-Columbia

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Industrial Engineering at University of Missouri-Columbia?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Industrial Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $711,480 in decade earnings vs $839,262 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →