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Manufacturing/industrial engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a manufacturing/industrial engineer. Manufacturing/industrial engineers usually study industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or industrial technology. 71% of manufacturing/industrial engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 867 real manufacturing/industrial engineer resumes to see exactly what manufacturing/industrial engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for manufacturing/industrial engineers are the Purdue University and the Purdue University.
There are also many online manufacturing/industrial engineer courses to help get the education required to be a manufacturing/industrial engineer.
There are certain manufacturing/industrial engineer certifications that you should consider. These manufacturing/industrial engineer certifications include Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Professional (PMP).
What education do you need to become a manufacturing/industrial engineer?
What degree do you need to be a manufacturing/industrial engineer?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 11%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a manufacturing/industrial engineer?
- Business, 7%
- Other Majors, 31%
Most common colleges for manufacturing/industrial engineers
| Manufacturing/industrial engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Purdue University | 9.86% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 7.04% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 7.04% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 6.34% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 6.34% |
Best majors for manufacturing/industrial engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Industrial Engineering | 36.3% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 14.3% |
| 3 | Industrial Technology | 12.1% |
| 4 | Business | 7.0% |
| 5 | Engineering And Industrial Management | 6.2% |
Best colleges for manufacturing/industrial engineers
The best colleges for manufacturing/industrial engineers are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University.
A manufacturing/industrial engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for manufacturing/industrial engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become manufacturing/industrial engineers.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
3. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
4. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$15,094
Enrollment
32,974
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
20 best online courses for manufacturing/industrial engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Autodesk CAD/CAM/CAE for Mechanical Engineering
The demand placed on today’s engineers goes above and beyond the job description. Products have become complex and engineers are more frequently asked to leave specialized roles and to take on a wide variety of tasks that are beyond their traditional responsibilities. These tasks are centered on form, fit, and function. Engineers need to factor in broader concerns such as cost, procurement, sustainability, manufacturability, and serviceability. Their role has moved away from an individual...
2. Intro to Digital Manufacturing with Autodesk Fusion 360
The manufacturing industry is making a digital transformation, allowing companies to customize production through advances in machine learning, sustainable design, generative design, and collaboration, with integrated design and manufacturing processes. This course introduces innovations in CAD and digital manufacturing, speaking to the rapid changes taking place that are forever transforming the future of making. This course will also explore foundational concepts behind Autodesk® Fusion 360™...
3. Lean Manufacturing A-Z: Lean Operations Management
Lean Business Operations Management, Lean Process and Systems Improvement in Production and Industry. MBA style course...
4. Reliability and Maintenance Engineering - FMEA
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis - A mechanical engineering approach to risk management of plant and machinery...
5. Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design and Manufacturing with Fusion 360
Design for manufacturing is the process of designing parts, components, or products with the understanding surrounding design requirements for a specific manufacturing method. This course explores the design for manufacture workflow and shows how to validate models and create the G code, the programming language needed to instruct the CNC machine on how to move. We practice the basics of part and assembly design, and tools such as animation, rendering, and simulations using Autodesk Fusion 360...
6. Autodesk CAD/CAM for Manufacturing
Manufacturers are under more pressure than ever to deliver better products faster, at lower cost, and with less waste.\n\nThe “throw-it-over-the-wall” approach to product development worked well enough in the past. But to compete in the future, you’ll need to connect and automate design and manufacturing processes.\n\nComputers can handle complex tasks that are time consuming or in some cases impossible for the human mind. This is the case when we use digital data to create complex tool motions...
7. Manufacturing Guide for Mechanical Product Development
Learn how everyday physical products are manufactured with no prior experience in engineering...
8. Process/Chemical Engineering - BOOTCAMP 2021
The only course with over 10 hours practical knowledge about main process equipment Design, Control and Safety...
9. Engineering and Product Design Processes
Welcome to “Engineering and Product Design Processes!” In this short course, you will learn how engineering design processes and product design processes are carried out. After the course, you will be familiar with the steps in both design processes. You will also be familiar with the main goal of each design process, as well as their similarities and differences...
10. Manufacturing process selection and Design for manufacturing
Learn about the basics of selecting process for a mechanical design and the principles of design for Manufacturing...
11. Operations Management A-Z: Business Processes and Systems
Operations Management: Supply Chain & Business Processes in Industry for Manufacturing and Services Organizations...
12. Understanding Engineering Drawings
How Technical Information is Conveyed from Engineers and Designers to Manufacturing and Supply Chain Professionals...
13. Manufacturing Operations - Planning, Management and Control
Cutting-Edge Production Management Methods That Will Help You Outperform the Competition...
14. Certified Risk Management FMEA ISO 31000 Expert Accredited
Certified Risk Management Expert ISO 31000: 2018 FMEA Enterprise Risk Management Risk Assessment Risk Analysis...
15. Product Development & Systems Engineering
The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...
16. Process Capability Analysis
A Powerful Tool Set for Understanding your Manufacturing Process Relative to Your Customers' Quality Expectations...
17. Fundamentals of Manufacturing for an ERP like SAP
Manufacturing Fundamentals...
18. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management
Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...
19. Electrical Power Engineering Principles
Learn all the basic theories and principles of electrical engineering...
20. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers
Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...
Top 10 most affordable universities for manufacturing/industrial engineers
The most affordable schools for manufacturing/industrial engineers are United States Merchant Marine Academy, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for manufacturing/industrial engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for manufacturing/industrial engineers.
1. United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$1,080
Cost of attendance
6,646
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
9. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for manufacturing/industrial engineers
The hardest universities for manufacturing/industrial engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for manufacturing/industrial engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for manufacturing/industrial engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
9. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
10. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for manufacturing/industrial engineers
The easiest schools for manufacturing/industrial engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, texas a&m; university - kingsville, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a manufacturing/industrial engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for manufacturing/industrial engineers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
5. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
8. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average manufacturing/industrial engineer salary by education level
| Manufacturing/industrial engineer education level | Manufacturing/industrial engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $87,468 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $79,392 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $68,674 |
Manufacturing/industrial engineer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025