Industrial Engineering at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's Industrial Engineering program produces graduates who earn $70,703 in their first year—notably below the $74,709 national median for industrial engineers, placing it in just the 28th percentile nationally. However, the state context tells a different story: as the only institution offering this degree in Mississippi, it sits at the state median by default. The real question for Mississippi families is whether this program justifies its cost compared to what their child could earn elsewhere.

The financial picture is actually quite reasonable. At $27,000 in median debt, graduates owe just 38% of their first-year earnings—well below the threshold that typically causes repayment stress. More importantly, earnings show healthy growth, climbing to nearly $80,000 by year four. For a state where the median household income hovers around $49,000, these graduates are earning substantially above state averages from day one.

For Mississippi families, this program offers a solid path into a well-paying technical field without excessive debt burden. The national percentile ranking reflects Mississippi's lower cost of living and regional salary scales more than program quality. If your child plans to work in the South or Southeast after graduation, these earnings are competitive. If they're targeting higher-paying industrial hubs like Chicago or Seattle, the lower starting point could matter more—though Mississippi State's accessible admissions (76% acceptance rate) and reasonable debt load still make it a practical choice.