3 industrial engineering degrees fuelling future-ready careers

Industrial engineers are the essential experts of our increasingly digital world. They lead new product development at an emerging technology company, design warehouses that store goods as efficiently as surgically possible, oversee operations in the aerospace industry, create system improvements in amusement parks, and so much more.  

That they are known as the architects of efficiency tells us about the opportunities in store for anyone looking to join or step up in this field. A good entry point can be found as some of the US’s top engineering schools. Whether you take on a bachelor’s programme or progress to master’s or PhD degrees, you’ll have the guidance of the field’s top thinkers and doers. Inspiration and support await – especially from the following universities:  

The University of Arkansas adopts a “students-first” philosophy, providing you with knowledge and skills that you can apply in your career. Source: Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas/Facebook

University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas always puts students first. A low student-to-faculty ratio allows this, paving the way for more and better communication and for the university to rank among the nation’s top public research universities and for best value.

The same applies to its College of Engineering‘s industrial engineering programme. Thanks to a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the programme provides plenty of personal attention and opportunities. The result is a 93% employment placement rate, with graduates securing managerial roles at companies such as Amazon, Google, American Airlines, and Disney. They stand out for their ability to design, analyse, and operate systems using skills in computing, statistics, economics, and project management. The department’s effective blend of theory and practical know-how ensures this.

The industrial engineering programme is offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Analytics is an introduction to the field’s foundations, exposing you to the industries you could one day build a future in.

Once you are equipped with the basic skills needed, you move on to either the Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, the Master of Science in Operations Management, the Master of Science in Engineering Management, the Master of Science in Engineering, or the Master of Science in Operations Analytics. Whichever master’s degree you choose, it’s set to fuel your academic and professional journey, leading towards a fulfilling career.

Want to contribute new knowledge to this field? The PhD here is rigorous but rewarding. Your independent investigation will result in original scholarly work, often in collaboration and with the full support of some of the most brilliant minds in the field.

Apply to the industrial engineering programme at the University of Arkansas now.

Purdue University prioritises practical, real-world learning. Source: Purdue Engineering/Facebook

Purdue University

If you want to truly enhance your knowledge and skills in industrial engineering with a world-class education, come to Purdue University’s Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering. Consistently proving its excellence, Purdue Engineering’s graduate program ranked fourth out of 220 universities in the US for the third consecutive year. At the same time, its Online Master of Science in Industrial Engineering has held the #1 spot for four years straight. Purdue’s commitment to affordability makes this level of excellence accessible. Their 13-year tuition freeze ensures you can obtain a top-ranked degree without breaking the bank. Everyone can benefit from this, considering the Professional Master’s Programme was designed for students from both industrial and non-industrial engineering backgrounds.

For all of its learners, Purdue prioritises practical, real-world learning. Its Professional Master’s Programme can equip you with the technical expertise of a traditional master’s degree, but it also goes a step further. Its curriculum emphasises the development of industry-vital skills like leadership, management, communication, client engagement, and project execution. Expect to hone these competencies by working on projects with Fortune Global 500 companies. The Professional Master’s Programme also allows you to work on multiple industry-sponsored projects for up to three semesters while you are taking other advanced IE courses that nurture valuable business consulting skills.

Through comprehensive lessons, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and experience of Purdue’s faculty — most of whom boast over 30 years of global industrial senior management experience. Their insights and Purdue’s strong industry relationships can give you a direct advantage in the job market — evident in the success of its graduates.

Professional Master’s Programme alumni typically earn 20% to 140% more than their bachelor’s degree counterparts. Today, some of them can be found at Amazon, Tesla, Intel, Micron Technology, Eaton, American Airlines, Eli Lilly, Salesforce, Applied Materials, and other major Fortune Global 500 companies.

Three-quarters of Florida State University graduates have at least one job offer within the first three months after graduation. Source: FAMU FSU College of Engineering/Facebook

Florida State University

Experiential learning is as important as lectures. It fosters deep understanding, practical skills, and critical thinking through real-world application. Which is why Florida State University emphasises this approach in all of its programmes, including industrial engineering. As the largest university in the US to have an experiential learning graduation requirement, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on, developing tangible solutions to current global engineering issues.

For future industrial engineers, the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering department is your domain. Here, you will develop skills in quality control, machine learning, manufacturing optimisation, and manufacturing of advanced materials – great for landing high-level jobs in the industry. Whether you work in healthcare, transportation, food, or pharmaceuticals, these skills will be highly valued, as proven by a university survey indicating that three-quarters of graduates here have at least one job offer within the first three months after graduation.

The department offers undergraduate programmes, which provide you with a basic understanding of the field, and graduate programmes, where you will take a deeper look into a specific area. There are two master’s degrees: MS in Industrial Engineering and MS in Engineering Management – both create pathways to a fulfilling career. For a more advanced degree, the PhD will prepare you for careers in academia and research.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International