Industrial Engineering

This is an exciting time to be part of the modern-day, industrial and manufacturing revolution. Services, industries and government agencies are increasingly being automated and interconnected and an industrial engineering degree from UWM can prepare you to succeed in this rapidly-changing field.

When you earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering at UWM, you’ll benefit from our long-standing collaborations with the region’s historically strong manufacturing community, many of whom offer well-paid internships, co-ops, and work with our students on classroom projects.

Plus, you’ll also have access to a next-gen factory located on campus, a testbed where you can virtually simulate solutions to common manufacturing challenges and execute those solutions physically.

Jump to Program Details

Program Type

Major, Minor

Program Format

On Campus

Career Outlook

The job outlook is very positive for those with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering. It is one of fastest growing fields in engineering and in 2022 had a median salary of $96,350*.

Nationwide, there were 327,300 jobs in the field in 2022. Nearly 70,000 of those jobs were in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Student testing their CAD design course project — Engineering Drawing and CAD Design Course: Final Projects

What to Expect

You will study the design, control, operation, evaluation, and implementation of systems and processes for service and manufacturing industries as well as government organizations. The minimum number of credits required to complete this degree is 120.

You can elect to develop a strength by earning one of three concentrations:

Advanced Manufacturing
Operations Research and Logistics
Ergonomics and Human Factors.

Honors

You will be eligible for these honors in the major during your studies and upon completing your degree.

You also will be eligible for these honors during your studies and upon completing your degree.

UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science program provides many opportunities to pair classroom learning with hands-on experiences outside the classroom. The college’s location in Wisconsin’s largest city, with a broad network of industry partnerships, gives you easy access to well-paid internships and co-ops, as well as other important opportunities to enhance your resume.

Did you know?

97 percent of our graduates launch their careers or continue their education upon graduation.
$78,000 average starting salary
_{SOURCE: UWM First Destination Survey for the College of Engineering & Applied Science, 2021-2023}

Our students have had many hands-on opportunities to develop their skills and to determine what type of career experience they would like after graduation, while often earning a significant paycheck over summer breaks and even during the academic year.

Here are some of the businesses where our industrial engineering degree students have had internships, co-ops or careers:

Apple
Bruno Independent Living Aids
Cree Lighting
FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Ford Motor Company
Gardner Denver
Komatsu
Krones
Master Lock
Perlick
Rockwell Automation
UPS
Usinger’s

In your senior year, you’ll team up with other students to complete a Capstone Project, during which you’ll use what you’ve learned in class to complete an experience similar to an employer request.

Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)

Promotes the scientific and educational interests of those engaged in the energy industry and foster actions for sustainable development.

Institute for Operations Research & The Management Sciences

Encourages interest in the field of operations research and management sciences

Society of Manufacturing Engineering

Non-profit student and professional association for educating and advancing the manufacturing industry in North America.

Student Water Council

Seeks to create awareness of water issues and research opportunities, and to assist in the development of the greater Milwaukee region as a world water hub.

Water Environment Federation – American Water Works Association

Promotes student interest in environmental and water management issues; promotes professional development for students interested in the engineering aspects of these issues.

For full descriptions and contact information of all engineering and Industrial Engineering related student organizations and clubs, click here.

UWM students have a wealth of resources available to them within the College of Engineering & Applied Science. From computer labs and tutoring resources to teaching labs and spaces to create or collaborate. Details here.

We’re a top tier R1 research university and our students have the opportunity to work with faculty engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as artificial intelligence, batteries, data visualization, clean energy, power systems and grids, nanotechnology and sensors.

You can work with faculty engaged in leading-edge research in areas such as:

Lean manufacturing
Logistics
Material handling & distribution
Real-time resource management
Systems design modeling
Ergonomics
Occupational Biomechanics

Undergraduates also have the opportunity to get paid to do research with UWM’s SURF (Support for Undergraduate Research Fellows) Program which fosters a win-win situation for both faculty and students.

Both graduates and undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in the annual Student Research Poster Competition to see who can best represent their research visually on a poster and verbally by describing it to judges.

This optional course is co-taught by an engineering professor and an art professor. Interdisciplinary teams of student engineers, artists and designers present ideas professionally, deliver presentations and take an idea from concept to design to prototype.

Directed by the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, the UWM Student Startup Challenge is an optional, co-curricular program that fosters our students’ innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. You can work alone or as part of a team as you gain the skills that come from entrepreneurial experience.

What You’ll Do

As a graduate, you can work for public or private sectors to optimize complex processes and systems. Because of the flexibility and value of industrial engineering skills, your employment opportunities are numerous and diverse. Your work might focus on: