Compare 5 Industrial Engineering. programs in Michigan. Average earnings: $82,597.
With top graduates earning $94,917, Industrial Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $17K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor leads with Industrial Engineering graduates earning $94,917, well above the state average of $82,597. But Kettering University follows closely at $85,107 with 79% acceptance versus Michigan's competitive 18% admission rate—demonstrating that accessible programs can deliver strong outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Michigan graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 3.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Wayne State delivers the best overall value with a 10% family burden rating.
Highest program earnings: $94,917
Strong outcomes with 79% acceptance
3.7% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
10.0% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $94,917 | 184 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #2 | Kettering UniversityPrivate | $85,107 | 23 | $27,000 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable |
| #3 | $78,391 | 17 | $26,188 | Excellent | $22,488 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Wayne State UniversityPublic | $77,401 | 26 | $21,250 | Excellent | $16,378 | Good |
| #5 | Oakland UniversityPublic | $77,169 | 31 | $22,750 | Excellent | $17,858 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
