The engineering field is extremely broad, and one that experiences shortages of qualified professionals. These factors boost demand for individuals who are knowledgeable in the field of engineering. ONe of the many specialties within engineering that has a real need for qualified and talented individuals is industrial engineering.
What Is Industrial Engineering?
Industrial engineering is a systems-related field. Individuals who work in industrial engineering learn how to create and modify systems related to the production and service fields. This means that they work on machinery, build complex systems designed to complete tasks, and learn how to manage a wide array of technical issues.
This field is in such demand because it is at the core of countless production areas. Virtually every product that we buy and use regularly has had some interaction with an industrial engineer. Moreover, the need for skilled industrial engineers has continued to rise as our production methods become more complex and rely heavily on technology.
Manufacturing, distribution, and transportation are three more common industries that an individual specializing in industrial engineering will work in. However, many other job paths are available to industrial engineering professionals. For example, individuals who are trained professionals in this field may also be able to find careers in energy, government, quality assurance, teaching, the supply chain industry, and more.
Why Get a Master’s in Industrial Engineering?
Individuals who study industrial engineering will usually at least have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in the field. However, some people will advance further in their education, earning a master’s degree in industrial engineering. Though this is more time-consuming — and may be more expensive — it can often be worth the extra effort to gain advanced training and skills.
An individual may want to get a master’s degree in industrial engineering because:
- Doing so may allow a person to specialize in a specific area of industrial engineering, allowing them to become experts in a certain subsection of the field.
- Individuals who get a master’s in engineering will almost always be able to demand a better salary than people who only have a bachelor’s degree.
- The extra time in school may enable someone to develop additional connections to their chosen industry, allowing them to enhance their job prospects.
- Some positions within industrial engineering require an advanced degree that can only be obtained with a master’s degree.
- More time in school should translate to more skills learned. This may open up entirely new career pathways, including those you previously may not have considered.
How Much Does a Master’s in Industrial Engineering Degree Cost?
As you can imagine, there is a wide range of potential costs for this degree. Programs that offer advanced degrees in industrial engineering typically cost between $10,000 and $30,000, but some fall outside that range.
What is certain is that getting this degree at an in-person school is not an inexpensive proposition. If you are considering a master’s degree in industrial engineering, you should check into financial aid or scholarship options. Some employers will also offer you tuition assistance or cover a portion of your tuition.
It is worth noting that earning a degree online can sometimes save money, reducing costs related to supplies, living, and travel expenses. Furthermore, most online schools come with some degree of flexibility. This will allow you to continue working while getting your degree.
10 Master’s in Industrial Engineering Online Degree Programs
There are hundreds of potential programs that you can choose from. Those listed below offer many advantages. Examining their similarities and the factors that make them stand out can help you make an informed decision about the best program fit for you.
Arizona State University Online – Online Master of Science in Industrial Engineering
Arizona State University has one of the largest online programs globally, and its M.S. in Industrial Engineering helps show why its offerings are so popular. ASU offers an array of courses in this area, including some relatively unique to the field, such as Web-Enabled Decision Support Systems and Reliability Engineering. In addition, it has more than 350 faculty members on staff, many of whom hold extensive engineering awards and credentials. This can help give students a unique and highly individualized approach to their Master’s degree.
LSU Online – Online Master of Science in Industrial Engineering
LSU’s Master’s is different from many: It requires 36 course hours to complete your degree, but the cost is much lower at a mere $750 per course hour. Of course, this requires students to invest more time in their various courses, but this is a good thing since it forces students to learn more to get their Master’s degree. LSU also allows you to have a dedicated coach that helps you in your journey, giving you a mentor and invaluable advice as you obtain your degree and search for work.
NC State University – Online Masters of Industrial Engineering
This program is self-supported, meaning students who take this course are expected to be capable of learning on their own, and while supports are there, internships and a final thesis are not required to obtain a degree. This master’s degree will require 33 course hours, and 27 of those courses must be over the 500 level.
Oklahoma State University Online – Industrial Engineering and Management
The Master’s in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State University isn’t just a Master’s in Industrial Engineering. Instead, it comes with a specialty in industrial management. This allows students to learn greater skills than they would with another Master’s. It also serves as an excellent launching pad for students who may be interested in obtaining a doctorate.
Penn State World Campus – Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering
This 30-credit course will cost students $951 per credit, a relatively reasonable price within this realm. It also offers more unique course offerings, including the ability to study the interactions between engineering, business, and psychology. Many of these interactions come as a direct result of Penn State’s large world campus, enabling Master’s students to expand their traditional course offerings into much broader areas.
Purdue University – Online Master of Industrial Engineering
Purdue University routinely ranks as one of the top engineering schools in the country, and this degree can help individuals get a Masters from their online school. They offer many different courses, including Human Factors Engineering and Operational Research. In addition, no thesis-based programs are offered with their online program, which should make it easier for busy students to obtain their master’s degree.
Texas A&M University – Online Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering
Texas A&M’s Master’s of Engineering is identical whether you receive it in person or online. This means that students who get a master’s will get the same high-quality education and faculty whether they attend school in person or online. In addition, the Master’s can be achieved in 10 courses and does not require a thesis. In some circumstances, your final exam may also be waived. These reasonable criteria make obtaining a Master’s degree from Texas A&M much easier than in other schools.
University of Southern California Online – Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering
This is a highly integrated program, meaning that people will have the chance to learn Industrial and Systems Engineering with other programs if they choose to do so. In addition, the program has an identical faculty to its on-campus programs, meaning that students who take this course will have the opportunity to learn from USC’s regular faculty.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison – Online Master of Industrial Engineering
This Master’s program allows students to study many areas, including data analytics, supply chain management, and quality control. It also notes that leadership and communication skills are explicitly taught for this master’s degree. This may give engineering students a leg up on the competition, as it will allow them to learn critical interpersonal skills that can be highly useful in the real world.
Vanderbilt School of Engineering – Master of Engineering in Industrial Engineering
This program ranks very high in its ability to help students learn, regularly appearing in the Top 20 lists of Master’s in Industrial Engineering rankings. It allows students to learn in live, online classes, conduct real-world projects, and get experience in project management. All of these skills are unquestionably critical when preparing for a career in engineering.
Common Courses in Master’s in Industrial Engineering Degree Programs
Different schools will require that students take different courses. Furthermore, some students may specialize in certain areas of industrial engineering, and those specializations will have different courses. However, most industrial engineering degree programs will require some form of the following courses:
- Chemistry
- Mechanics
- Systems design and analysis
- Engineering design
- Electrical systems
- Computer science
- Data science
Other FAQs About Master’s in Industrial Engineering Degrees and Programs
What Are the Prerequisites for a Master’s in Industrial Engineering?
Industrial engineering programs have basic requirements that you must meet before they consider admitting you. These generally include a minimum GPA and often require that someone take a graduate admissions test, such as the GRE. Finally, you will need a bachelor’s degree, ideally in a field related to engineering.
What is the Master’s in Industrial Engineering salary?
The potential salary for an individual who holds a Master’s in Industrial Engineering is very high. According to Salary.com, the median salary range is $130,153–$138,300.
Is a Master’s in Industrial Engineering Worth It?
Industrial engineering roles have high salary and growth potential, particularly for candidates with an advanced degree in the field.