Industrial Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,673/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (43% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (8.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 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 $771K $753K $664K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.2x 18.8x 16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.8x 8.5x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 64% 48%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,080
Out-of-state: $88,080 (8.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,708
-61% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,544
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,436
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $68,673 track close to the $73,874 national median for Industrial Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.8x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,544 in median debt against $68,673 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #40 of 93 Industrial Engineering programs, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $68,673 to $86,436 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has a 88% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 16,762 students in Milwaukee, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee →

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 Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Industrial Engineering at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee?
This program scores 71/100 — 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 $663,662 in decade earnings vs $770,891 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →