MSc in Optimization in Bethlehem, PA United States | Lehigh University

The Master of Science (MS) in Optimization in Lehigh University's Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) is one of the top programs in the US and equips students with 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.

• 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.

Optimization salary and career outlook

Lehigh ISE alumni hold influential positions in leading companies across the country and around the world. The Optimization program prepares graduates for highly competitive roles in industry with exceptionally competitive salaries. An example of a graduate placement is an applied scientist at Amazon. Other graduate placements include:

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

Optimization program format

The Master of Science in Optimization 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. The program can be pursued as a standalone degree or in combination with various graduate certificates offered within the ISE department or across the College of Engineering. Many students complete a 12-month, three-term course sequence, while others choose a four-term sequence to enable course-free summer research or internship opportunities.

Optimization collaborations

Lehigh’s Industrial and Systems Engineering research is supported by a wide array of public and private sponsors, and students can work with internationally recognized faculty experts. The department is also affiliated with Lehigh’s Interdisciplinary Research Institutes (IRIs) such as the Institute for Data, Intelligent Systems, and Computation (I-DISC).

Optimization 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.