Only 5 colleges in the country offer Ceramic Sciences and Engineering, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $83,947.
This page covers Ceramic Sciences and Engineering as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Engineering and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Ceramic Sciences and Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $83,947 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 5 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 60 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$71,644
Median Earnings · 4yr
$83,947
Colleges Offering
5
Graduates / Year
60
Avg Net Price / yr
$22,108
How Much Do Ceramic Sciences and Engineering Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Ceramic Sciences and Engineering, a typical graduate earns $83,947, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $67,081 and $100,360, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Source: College Scorecard.
Earnings in this field tend to be stable early on. Expect the four-year median to closely reflect your long-term starting point.
$83,947
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$83,641
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$67,08125th pct.
$83,947Median
$100,36075th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $83,947 against an estimated $88,432 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 5 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 60 students who complete Ceramic Sciences and Engineering programs each year, the majority (53%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
53%28%
Bachelor's53%
Master's28%
Doctorate18%
What Can You Do With a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduates show up in 4 different occupations, and Architectural & Engineering Manager pays the most at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingScienceComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.
Develop safety procedures to be employed by workers operating equipment or working in close proximity to ongoing chemical reactions.
Troubleshoot problems with chemical manufacturing processes.
Monitor and analyze data from processes and experiments.
Complex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningScienceCritical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
Top Colleges for Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
Only 3 colleges had enough verified data to appear here for Ceramic Sciences and Engineering. They are sorted by graduate volume, not selectivity, so use them as a starting point rather than a ranking.
Ranked by Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Engineering Programs
Ceramic Sciences and Engineering is not the only path through Engineering: 37 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Ceramic Sciences and Engineering Degree: Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Ceramic Sciences and Engineering a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $83,947 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +7.8% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 21,200 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $100,360, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Limited program availabilityOnly 5 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Ceramic Sciences and Engineering Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduates earn?
$83,947 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $67,081 and $100,360, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering degree?
$71,644 in the first year out. That grows to $83,947 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering degree?
Architectural & Engineering Manager is one path, and it pays a median of $171,270 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Ceramic Sciences and Engineering?
5 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Ceramic Sciences and Engineering degree worth it?
$83,947 median earnings four years out against $22,108 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Ceramic Sciences and Engineering and Engineering?
Ceramic Sciences and Engineering is the narrower of the two: Engineering covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Ceramic Sciences and Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduates consistently look for analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduates?
Usually worth considering. A master's in a STEM field can accelerate advancement into research, leadership, or senior engineering roles, and often adds $15,000 to $40,000 in long-term earning potential depending on specialization. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Ceramic Sciences and Engineering graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +6.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers are among the strongest-growth roles at +7.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Engineering Programs
Other programs in Engineering. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Highest paying majors
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Field of study
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A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
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STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
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