Industrial Engineers create solutions that help businesses and communities serve people, run more efficiently, and solve complex problems they face every day.
It’s not always clear what the differences are or where they can take you. If you’re drawn to solving problems where people, data, and operations all connect—that’s what Industrial Engineers do.
They intuitively ask themselves, “How can this process serve people better, run more efficiently, and deliver better outcomes?”
Does that sound like you?
Listen to some of our graduates describe why industrial engineering in their own words, and how industrial engineering applies in their work experience.
Alex Housten, BSIE '02, COO Rheem Mfg
Claire Konz, BSIE '21, Supply Chain, Miebach Consulting
John Herendeen, BSIE '02 Senior Leadership, Amazon
Our program opens doors in technology, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, consulting, and beyond. You’ll learn how to combine problem solving, leadership, and technical skills to improve how businesses, people, and communities function every day.
With an IE degree, you will be highly employable across many industries—because every organization depends on efficient, well-managed systems, including:
Purdue engineers have an interest in changing the world, making an impact in their communities, and doing meaningful work. Strong leadership characteristics, ingenuity, adaptability, critical thinking, problem solving skills, and technical proficiency are among the main competencies that our students gain. Purdue engineering is dedicated to helping students attain the skills and attributes needed to succeed in this rapidly-changing global economy.
Self-driven individuals who like organizing, improving how things work, and solving big challenges are often a great fit.
This is because Industrial Engineers work behind the scenes to make sure companies, hospitals, factories, and AI data centers run smoothly. As an IE, you could take on challenges like:
Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering offers two strong pathways that lead to the same top-ranked degree—giving you options based on how you want to start your college experience.
In West Lafayette, you’ll follow Purdue’s traditional four-year campus experience as a First-Year Engineering student.
You’ll build a strong academic foundation while exploring how different engineering fields approach real-world problems—before starting your focused, Industrial Engineering courses in your second year. Here, you'll enjoy state-of-the-art labs, gain industry connections, and earn a prestigious IE degree.
As a direct admit IE student, you will spend your first two years in Indianapolis, where you’ll gain hands-on experience and real-world application with industry-sponsored projects and IE courses from day one.
You’ll enjoy a smaller cohort, urban setting before transitioning to West Lafayette for your final two years. There, you’ll continue your education in state-of-the-art labs, expand your connections, and graduate with one of the top IE degrees in the nation.
Grissom Hall
315 N. Grant St
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Email: [email protected]
Monday through Friday
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
For additional information, please contact the Office of Future Engineers.
