Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release).
Analysis
Worcester Polytechnic Institute's industrial engineering graduates start at nearly $78K and climb to $93K within four years—solid performance that beats three-quarters of programs nationally. The relatively modest debt load of $26,254 means graduates owe just 34 cents for every dollar they earn in their first year, making this among the more manageable debt burdens you'll find in engineering.
Within Massachusetts, WPI holds its own in a small but competitive field. While tied with Northeastern in the state rankings and ahead of UMass-Amherst by over $7,000, the 19% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are building valuable careers. Industrial engineering tends to offer broad applicability across industries, which likely contributes to this steady trajectory.
The caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset means a few outliers could swing these numbers. Still, the fundamentals look sound: strong starting salaries, manageable debt, and consistent growth. For a family willing to invest around $26K in loans, the math works, particularly given WPI's technical focus and industry connections in the Northeast manufacturing corridor.
Where Worcester Polytechnic Institute Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all industrial engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | $77,994 | $92,896 | +19% |
| University of Southern California | $87,807 | $114,688 | +31% |
| SUNY Maritime College | $91,470 | $110,403 | +21% |
| Northwestern University | $89,811 | $107,105 | +19% |
| Northeastern University | $77,066 | $95,290 | +24% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Industrial Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (4 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester | $59,070 | $77,994 | $92,896 | $26,254 | 0.34 |
 Northeastern UniversityBoston | $63,141 | $77,066 | $95,290 | $25,000 | 0.32 |
 University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst | $17,357 | $70,554 | — | $27,000 | 0.38 |
| National Median | — | $74,709 | — | $24,889 | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with industrial engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Industrial Engineers
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
Validation Engineers
Manufacturing Engineers
Explore Related Programs
Industrial Engineering in Massachusetts
View all in Massachusetts →Explore further
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, approximately 10% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 23 graduates with reported earnings and 30 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.