MS in Industrial Engineering in USA

Masters in Industrial Engineering is a two-year graduate course offered at several universities across the United States. To pursue MS in Industrial Engineering, students must have a four-year undergraduate degree, or, alternatively, a three-year undergraduate degree with two years of Master’s degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences. With an average salary of about 88,000 USD (71.80 lakhs INR), MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA is a popular choice for international students. Industrial engineers with a Master’s degree are in huge demand across the world, and earn high ROIs.

What Does IE Entail?

Industrial Engineering is the management, design and control of production and service operations and systems, from supply chain management to data optimization and analysis. Some of the courses common across different curriculum within the program include:

• Operations and Supply Chain Management
• Information Systems Engineering
• Advanced Engineering Statistics
• Advanced Analytics
• Production Planning
• Inventory Control
• Industrial Economics

Industrial engineering opens up opportunities in various sectors, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation, healthcare, and so on. Organizations like John Deere, Northrop Grumman, Zimmer Biomet, Jacobs, Caterpillar, and Larsen & Toubro are some of the top employers in the industrial engineering market.

Top Universities for MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA

MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA is offered by several universities with different specializations and course structures. Provided below is a list of universities one can apply to:

Check Out: USA Universities

Industrial vs Mechanical Engineering

A lot of students in the field find themselves facing a choice between mechanical and industrial engineering. Even though the two courses are somewhat similar, there are certain factors that can make one more suitable for you than the other.

Within industrial engineering, the focus is on the optimization of business and production processes. If your inclination is more towards data and analysis, opt for industrial engineering. Industrial Engineering offers a broader scope than mechanical, which often requires further specialization.

Mechanical Engineering is concerned with the design, development, integration, maintenance and repair of machines and mechanical components. If you prefer to “work with your hands”, go for Mechanical Engineering.

Course Structure

Graduate in Industrial Engineering is a research-oriented interdisciplinary program with a broad career scope. It includes areas of specialization like data science, human and human systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, occupational health and safety, operations research, productivity engineering, quality engineering, and healthcare systems among others.

Eligibility Criteria for MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA

Documents needed for most universities include:

• Graduate admission application and application fee
• A resume or CV
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL)
• GRE or GMAT

The specific requirements outlined by universities are provided below:

Why Study MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA?

• USA provides ample opportunities as a leading hub of education with superior quality of education, the standard of living, safety, and industrial exposure.
• The industrial engineering market has a projected growth rate of 12% from 2022 to 2032 in terms of employment.
• MS in Industrial Engineering has a broad career scope, offering opportunities in various sectors, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation, healthcare, and more.
• With the tuition fee range of INR 25-50 lakh and average salary range of INR 70-75 lakh, the MS in Industrial Engineering program delivers a high RoI.
• In the Industrial Engineering sector, you can expect to earn $94,700 per year while working in the US.

The Visa Application Process

Applying for a United States student visa entails several steps. You start with filling out the Online Nonimmigrant Visa application form, wait for an appointment, and get to the interview with these documents:

• The application form confirmation page
• Passport
• Application fee payment receipt
• Photo
• Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status

The application fee costs $185. Additional documents like transcripts and degrees from schools you attended, standardized test scores required by your U.S. school, and a proof of ability to cover your living expenses may also be required.

Read More: US Student Visa

MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA Placements and Salary

MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA offers remarkable career opportunities. Universities like Columbia University boast of 88% full-time placement rate for Master in Industrial Engineering. Some of the job roles and salaries that will open up for you upon completion of the course include:

Read More: Jobs after MS in USA

Hurdles You Might Need to Overcome to Pursue MS in IE in USA

The application process for Master in Industrial Engineering in the USA can seem complex, but the steps are well mapped out with comprehensive detail provided by the universities for international students. Beyond the basics, these are some obstacles you might encounter and certain pitfalls you need to be aware of.

Financial Limitations

It is not impossible to get admits in universities for MS in IE in the US despite limited funds. Apart from scholarships and subsidies offered by institutions for international students, there are many private and government organizations that provide grants to Indian students on the basis of merit.

Some scholarships and their details are provided below.

A Low GRE Score

Considered a tough nut to crack, GRE can sometimes pose a challenge, but that’s not the end of the world. According to Biswaroop, who’s an MSIE student at North Carolina State University, a strong SoP and LoRs and substantial work experience can make up for low GRE scores. Plus, a number of institutions have waived off GRE post the pandemic, and several have made it optional. Check for universities you can apply to without GRE.

Networking Challenges

A lot of international students miss out on opportunities as they fail to step out of their comfort zone and build connections. Reaching out to the faculty and alumni of the universities you have applied to can lead to meaningful interactions, referrals, and recommendations.

A Weak Resume

Apart from relevant details about your career, your CV should include quantifiable achievements. Paper publications and presentations, conferences, academic scores, and more will strengthen your resume and substantially increase your chances for studying abroad.

What the Students Say About MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA: Likes and Dislikes

Likes

• A number of students gave positive reviews of the faculty in the universities for MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA.
• There is an abundance of student clubs, from academic to extra-curricular, which provide opportunities for social engagement and academic growth.
• The infrastructure and laboratory facilities are state-of-the-art and well maintained.
• The program has a flexible and interdisciplinary approach, wherein students can opt for different courses from various disciplines alongside IE.

Dislikes

• Some students like Vaishnavi Kannur found the syllabus a bit too quantitative and less value-adding in comparison to business subjects.
• Some pointed out that only a handful of teachers were found to be up to the mark
• The location of some colleges was remote, which limited mobility and other conveniences.
• The course of study is fast-paced and hard to keep up with.
• The harsh weather conditions in some states make living in the US difficult for some students.

Is an MS in Industrial Engineering in the USA Right for You?

There is much to be said about the opportunities and RoI an MS in Industrial Engineering in the US provides, but weighing the pros and cons is imperative to ensure you are making the right decision for yourself.

Doesn’t always fit the budget

Living in the USA is expensive, studying there even more so. According to Abhishek, if the results turn out to be unsatisfactory, you will end up coming back to India with a ton of student loan debt. It is best to carefully consider your options before making this huge investment.

No placement support

The placement system in the USA is substantially different from that of our country. There are no on-campus placements, and applying to different companies for a job is your own imperative. Additionally, the companies recruit on a first come first serve basis, which can mean a loss of opportunities for some.

Finding accommodation a challenge

The student dorms of the universities in the USA are decrepit and overcrowded. Finding other suitable accommodation can be challenging, and since most of the top-tier colleges are located in metropolitan areas, living off campus can be quite expensive.

MS in Industrial Engineering: USA versus UK

A Master in Industrial Engineering in the USA costs around USD 20,000 per year. On the other hand, in the UK, the tuition fee ranges from EUR 15,000 to 35,000 (INR 13 - 31 lakh). However, MS is a one-year program in the UK, while it typically takes two years to complete in the USA, which brings the total cost to USD 40,000 (INR 33 lakh).

The average salary of an industrial engineer in the UK is about EUR 35,000 (INR 31 lakh), while in the USA:an industrial engineer earns on average USD 88,000 (INR 73 lakh). The UK however is said to offer a better quality of life.

Success Stories: Sumedh, Texas A&M University

Sumedh Neharkar, a student at Texas A&M University, completed his Bachelor’s degree as a Mechanical Engineering major. It was not until his fourth year that he settled upon the specialization he wanted to pursue in his Master’s, though he had always planned to study in the USA. His exposure to subjects like Operation Research, Product Planning, and Control Industrial Engineering and Management aroused his interest in Industrial Engineering. His specialization within MS in Industrial Engineering is Data Science.

The USA became the final choice for Sumedh, as it had more universities than other English-speaking countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada, which offered the specialization he wanted. Apart from his 9.65 GPA, Sumedh gives credit to his strong Statements of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation for his selection at all the eleven colleges he applied to. The SoP took him three to four months to write and finalize. His advice is to take your time crafting the SoPs, and include everything from extracurricular activities to volunteer work in it. His reasons for choosing Texas A&M were its flexible course structure, ranking, division fee, and the area’s climate.

According to Sumedh, the starting salary for graduates in Industrial Engineering in the USA is USD 70,000.

Industrial Engineering enables transformation of processes to enhance productivity, and is in demand across a myriad of industries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the industrial engineering market is projected to grow 12% from 2022 to 2032, and the graduate programs available in the US open up many avenues for Indian students. Overall, a Master in Industrial Engineering is the right career choice for engineers.

Frequently Asked Questions