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Engineering · Industrial Engineering Rank #34 of 93

Industrial Engineeringat University of Missouri-Columbia

Graduates earn $79,894/yr in their first year — about 8.0% above the national Industrial Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $817K; scenarios range from $711K to $839K depending on AI disruption.

Columbia, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
72 STRONG
73
Optimistic
70
Pessimistic
Earnings
$79,894
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$817K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Missouri

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.

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
$711K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score70/100
Earnings Multiple12.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$817K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score72/100
Earnings Multiple14.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$839K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score73/100
Earnings Multiple14.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at University of Missouri

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

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.