Master's in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research overview

The Master of Science (MS) in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR) in Lehigh University's Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) helps students build leading-edge decision-making techniques using advanced data analytics, machine learning, and computational approaches. Under the guidance of Lehigh ISE's world-renowned faculty, students gain specialized technical knowledge to optimize complex processes, systems, networks, investments, and organizations across nearly all sectors of society. The department fosters a welcoming, close-knit, and dynamic intellectual community that elevates the trajectory of its graduates and prepares them to make a lasting impact in their career.

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Master's in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research highlights

  • The ISE department places in the top 20% in all industrial engineering rankings.
  • The department has a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
  • More than 50% of the faculty hold prestigious awards and/or international board positions.

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research salary and career outlook

Lehigh ISE alumni hold influential positions in leading companies across the country and around the world. The MS program in IEOR sets graduates up for further graduate study and prepares them for careers in a variety of sectors, including finance, healthcare, and government services. Graduate placements include:

  • Accenture
  • Amazon
  • Boeing
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Geisinger Health System
  • IBM Research
  • Merck

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research program format

The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research is available both on-campus and online. The curriculum is rigorous, yet designed with flexibility to allow students to choose a path suited to their desired pace.

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research collaborations

Students have the opportunity to work with internationally recognized faculty experts. The department is also affiliated with Lehigh’s Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRIs), including the Institute for Data, Intelligent Systems, and Computation (I-DISC), where interdisciplinary groups of faculty and students converge to tackle challenging problems.

Industrial Engineering & Operations Research external funding

Industrial and systems engineering research at Lehigh is supported by a wide array of public and private sponsors, including the National Science Foundation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Department of Defense.

Master's in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research admissions requirements

To be considered for admission to the master's program, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor of Science (or equivalent) degree in a related field. A complete application must include:

  • A candidate's personal statement detailing their motivation for graduate study and research interests.
  • The candidate's resume summarizing background relevant to graduate study.
  • Complete transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Unofficial copies may be uploaded initially, but official transcripts are required upon accepting an offer of admission.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation from qualified individuals.
  • For international students whose first language is not English who have not studied in the US or countries where English is an official and widely spoken language, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or Cambridge English Qualification test scores are required.
  • A non-refundable application fee of $50.
  • GRE test scores are not required.