Industrial Engineering at University of Minnesota-Duluth

UMN-Duluth's Industrial Engineering graduates are out-earning their Twin Cities counterparts by $4,000—a notable outcome given that the flagship campus typically dominates state rankings. At $77,781 starting salary with $24,185 in debt, this program delivers a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning graduates carry roughly four months' salary in loans. That's manageable by any standard, particularly in engineering where early earnings typically grow.

The numbers look strong nationally too, landing at the 75th percentile for Industrial Engineering programs. However, there's an important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so one or two exceptional outcomes can skew the picture considerably. With only two schools in Minnesota offering this degree, you're essentially choosing between Duluth and Twin Cities—and both produce similar results despite their difference in selectivity.

For families looking at accessible engineering programs, this represents solid value. The 82% admission rate means most qualified applicants get in, and graduates leave with below-average debt while earning above-average salaries. Just understand that the small cohort size means your child's experience could vary more than at a larger program with hundreds of Industrial Engineering students.