Materials Engineering graduates earn $91,449 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.1%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Engineering Teachers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Materials Engineering is a focused area of study within Engineering. Graduates typically earn around $91,449 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 115 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 3,397 students complete this program each year. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$74,110
Median Earnings · 4yr
$91,449
Colleges Offering
115
Graduates / Year
3,397
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,224
How Much Do Materials Engineering Graduates Earn?
Materials Engineering graduates earn $91,449 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,710 and $109,151.
$74,110
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$91,449
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$91,799
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Materials Engineering graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
$76,71025th pct.
$91,449Median
$109,15175th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $91,449 against an estimated $68,896 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 65 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 3,397 students who complete Materials Engineering programs each year, the majority (39%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
39%36%24%
Bachelor's39%
Master's36%
Doctorate24%
What Can You Do With a Materials Engineering Degree?
Materials Engineering connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Architectural & Engineering Manager leads at $171,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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.
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
Top Colleges for Materials Engineering
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Materials Engineering students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Materials Engineering program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Materials 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 $91,449 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.1% over the next decade, with Engineering Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 37,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $109,151, 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.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Materials Engineering graduates earn a national median of $91,449 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,710 and $109,151. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Materials Engineering degree?
One year after graduation, Materials Engineering degree holders earn a median of $74,110. That climbs to $91,449 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Materials Engineering degree?
Materials Engineering degree holders pursue careers including Architectural & Engineering Manager, which pays a median of $171,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Materials Engineering program take?
A Materials Engineering bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Materials Engineering?
115 colleges and universities in the United States offer Materials Engineering programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Materials Engineering degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $91,449 and an average net price of roughly $17,224/yr, a Materials Engineering degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Materials Engineering and Engineering?
Materials Engineering is a focused concentration within the broader Engineering field. The Engineering major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Materials Engineering-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Materials Engineering graduates?
Employers hiring Materials Engineering graduates consistently prioritize analytical thinking, technical proficiency, and data interpretation. Employers typically prioritize candidates who can demonstrate hands-on project or internship experience alongside their coursework.
Is graduate school worth it for Materials Engineering graduates?
In STEM fields, a master's degree 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. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Materials Engineering graduates?
The job outlook for Materials Engineering graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.4% job growth over the next 10 years. Engineering Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +8.1%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
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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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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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
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