Compare 10 Industrial Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $86,023.
With top graduates earning $114,688, Industrial Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $28K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
The University of Southern California's Industrial Engineering program leads with graduates earning $114,688, while California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo follows at $103,886. Against an $86K regional average, these outcomes show that program-specific factors drive results more than overall school reputation.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. USC graduates borrow $18,000 and face just a 2.7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona leads with a 7.2% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $114,688
Strong outcomes with 90% acceptance
2.7% payment burden | Excellent
7.2% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $114,688 | 54 | $18,000 | Excellent | $31,803 | Good | |
| #2 | $103,886 | 96 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #3 | $88,806 | 58 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #4 | $86,497 | 115 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #5 | $86,122 | 71 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Excellent | |
| #6 | Oregon State UniversityPublic | $81,703 | 58 | $21,221 | Excellent | $28,923 | Manageable |
| #7 | $81,358 | 61 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Good | |
| #8 | University Of San DiegoPrivate | $80,644 | 36 | $22,940 | Excellent | $56,559 | Challenging |
| #9 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $72,440 | 42 | $19,620 | Excellent | $30,126 | Manageable |
| #10 | Montana State UniversityPublic | $64,082 | 23 | $22,500 | Excellent | $25,000 | Manageable |
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 →
