Future Undergrad Students and Parents | NC State ISE
Undergrad Students and Parents
Welcome to one of the strongest engineering communities you can join. You are part of the #11 program in the United States. Moreover, this ranking shows the strength of our faculty, students and industry partners. As a result, you gain strong value when you choose our department.
The goal here is to help you:
- Explore the world of industrial and systems engineering, or ISE for short
- See why Raleigh, NC is a great place to live and work
- Learn what campus life offers and discover how to tour the ISE Department
- Find answers to many frequently asked questions
- Understand how our department prepares you for a successful ISE career
- Finally, learn how to apply to NC State
About Our Department
Industrial and systems engineering is gaining unprecedented momentum and popularity with students.
Our Department celebrates more than 95 years of excellence and is a top-ranked program by US News & World Report. ISE prepares students for a variety of careers. They push the boundaries of 3-D printing, regenerative medicine and supply chain logistics. The College of Engineering ranks us #1 for Student Satisfaction, Job Placement and Job Placement in their Field of Study. Currently, there are more companies looking to hire our graduates than there are students to fill those positions.
Industrial and systems engineering is gaining strong momentum with students. Moreover, you enter a department that celebrates more than 95 years of excellence and holds a top national ranking (#14) from US News & World Report.
As you move through the program, you will be prepared for many career paths. That is because we offer a wide variety of research areas, including:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Health Systems
- Human Factors and Ergonomics
- Supply Chain and Logistics
- Systems Analytics and Optimization
Additionally, the College of Engineering ranks our department #1 for student satisfaction, job placement and job placement in their field of study.
Right now, more companies want to hire our graduates than there are students to fill those roles. Consequently, you step into a field filled with opportunity.
ABET Accreditation and Why it Matters
ABET certifies engineering programs at the associate, bachelor and master levels. With ABET quality standards, you can feel confident that our program prepares you to enter a global workforce. Moreover, you benefit from a system built to ensure strong learning outcomes.
ABET includes more than 2,200 experts from industry, academia and government. Their criteria focus on what students experience and learn. Additionally, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process adds critical value to engineering programs where quality, precision and safety matter most.
ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
What is Industrial and Systems Engineering?
Many high school students aspire to become engineers, but you may still wonder which path is the best fit for you. Industrial and systems engineering is the “people person’s” engineering. Moreover, it blends physical and social sciences with core engineering principles to improve processes and systems. It’s simple. You figure out how to do things better.
You improve quality and productivity and you cut waste like time, materials, money and energy. As a result, many industrial and systems engineers move into management roles. For the same reason, industrial engineering is also a strong choice if you want to own and run a business.
Living in Raleigh
Living in Raleigh, NC, consistently ranks among the top five places to live and work in the country. Furthermore, the city enjoys moderate weather with an average temperature of 71°F. Additionally, you’re only two hours from the beach and three hours from the mountains. Raleigh welcomes families and individuals, offering a well-educated workforce and a diverse, multicultural environment. As a result, this vibrant city provides a high quality of life and many opportunities for everyone. Consequently, many people find living in Raleigh the ideal way to settle down and thrive.
- #6 Best Place to Live in the US (US News & World Report, 2024-2025)
- #13 Top 25 America’s Best Cities Best Cities, 2024)
- #11 Best Place to Live in the US for Young Professionals (U.S. News, 2023-2024)
- Best Cities to Move to After College (USA Today, 2024)
Campus Life
As an industrial engineering student at NC State, you enjoy strong academics and an active campus life. Moreover, you meet new friends, join clubs and take part in many activities while earning a top-quality education.
The Talley Student Union serves as the hub for student life. Additionally, you can cheer in the stands, play on the field or enjoy a solid workout. With hundreds of year-round arts programs, you gain the tools to bring your ideas to life and join a supportive creative community.
NC State offers many housing options. For example, you can live in traditional residence halls, themed village communities or on- and off-campus apartments for upperclassmen and graduate students.
NC State Dining also offers a variety of choices. Furthermore, you can enjoy quick-service eateries, all-you-can-eat dining halls, familiar fast-food chains, specialty cafes, coffee bars and food trucks.
Tour the ISE Department
WWe think seeing is believing. So we invite you to tour the Department and explore the many areas within ISE. Moreover, you will discover spaces that show how our students learn and create. These include our:
- World-class 3D printing lab
- Robotics and automation lab
- Virtual reality cave and biomechanics lab
- Biomedical 3D printing lab
While you are here, you can also sit in on a simulation modeling or product development class. Additionally, you can meet students and see how they apply what they learn.
To get started, just fill out an ISE Campus Visitation Form and plan your visit.
Got Questions? (FAQ)
We know you have many questions, and we are here to help. Moreover, you can find clear answers to many of the most common questions.
Degrees
We prepare our students for employment in industry, service, consulting and government organizations. They are also ready for advanced study at leading engineering, business and management universities. We offer seven different degrees ranging from a bachelor of science to a Ph.D. in industrial engineering.
Admissions
So are you ready to become a member of Wolfpack Nation? Great!
Discover what you need to apply to our undergraduate program, as well as the answer to the question, “Can I afford it?“
Parent and Family Services
NC State’s Office of Parents & Families Services works to nurture relationships between parents, families, and their NC State students. They offer various events, programs and discounts only to the parents and families of NC State Students.