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Materials Sciences

Materials Sciences graduates earn $94,684 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.

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About Materials Sciences

Materials Sciences is a focused area of study within Physical Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $94,684 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 68 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 679 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $72,216
Median Earnings · 4yr: $94,684
Colleges Offering: 68
Graduates / Year: 679
Avg Net Price / yr: $22,897

How Much Do Materials Sciences Graduates Earn?

Materials Sciences graduates earn $94,684 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,395 and $112,834.

$72,216

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$94,684

4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$106,289

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Materials Sciences 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.

$73,395 25th pct.

$94,684 Median

$112,834 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $94,684 against an estimated $91,588 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 16 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 679 students who complete Materials Sciences programs each year, the majority (42%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

25% 42% 31%

Master's 42%

Doctorate 31%

Bachelor's 25%

What Can You Do With a Materials Sciences Degree?

Materials Sciences connects to 6 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.

↗ +3.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Architectural & Engineering Manager

$171,270

$139K $213K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 14,500 openings/yr 220K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Complex Problem Solving Active Listening Writing Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

Manage the coordination and overall integration of technical activities in architecture or engineering projects.
Direct, review, or approve project design changes.
Consult or negotiate with clients to prepare project specifications.

↗ +3.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 8,500 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

↗ +4.9% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Materials Scientist

$117,790

$90K $151K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 600 openings/yr 8K employed nationally

Complex Problem Solving Reading Comprehension Active Listening Science Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Research and study the structures and chemical properties of various natural and synthetic or composite materials, including metals, alloys, rubber, ceramics, semiconductors, polymers, and glass. Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications. Includes glass scientists, ceramic scientists, metallurgical scientists, and polymer scientists.

Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.

↗ +8.1% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Engineering Teachers

$109,270

$82K $151K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 4,100 openings/yr 40K employed nationally

Instructing Learning Strategies Speaking Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

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.

↗ +2.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Chemistry Teachers

$93,250

$69K $127K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,900 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Speaking Writing Reading Comprehension Learning Strategies Monitoring

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical separation.
Establish, teach, and monitor students' compliance with safety rules for handling chemicals, equipment, and other hazardous materials.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory performance, assignments, and papers.

↗ +4.9% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Chemist

$91,240

$69K $126K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 6,300 openings/yr 83K employed nationally

Science Critical Thinking Reading Comprehension Speaking Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Develop, improve, or customize products, equipment, formulas, processes, or analytical methods.
Analyze organic or inorganic compounds to determine chemical or physical properties, composition, structure, relationships, or reactions, using chromatography, spectroscopy, or spectrophotometry techniques.
Induce changes in composition of substances by introducing heat, light, energy, or chemical catalysts for quantitative or qualitative analysis.

Top Colleges for Materials Sciences

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Materials Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public	101	11%	$13,481	$92,446
2	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA · Nonprofit	99	11.7%	$31,944	$114,862
3	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public	58	60.6%	$32,875	$63,435
4	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit	46	4%	$21,590	$102,491
5	University of Delaware Newark, DE · Public	34	70.6%	$17,799	$72,950
6	University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA · Public	32	33%	$16,109	$74,915
7	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	30	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
8	Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY · Nonprofit	17	66.9%	$34,906	$76,571
9	Duke University Durham, NC · Nonprofit	15	5.7%	$29,612	$97,800
10	University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit	14	9.8%	$32,740	$92,498
11	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	13	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
12	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	13	9%	$12,548	$82,511
13	University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY · Public	12	74.2%	$20,995	$70,814
14	Montana State University Bozeman, MT · Public	12	82.1%	$22,499	$53,263
15	The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL · Public	11	76.7%	$22,420	$59,221
16	Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public	11	77.3%	$19,604	$64,010
17	University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA · Public	10	76.4%	$14,304	$67,699
18	Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJ · Nonprofit	10	47.6%	$41,346	$108,772
19	Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public	8	57.4%	$21,315	$72,097
20	University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM · Public	8	95.2%	$15,489	$44,792

View all colleges

Ranked by Materials Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Materials Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Materials Sciences degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Materials Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Materials Sciences a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS

Strong median salary Graduates earn $94,684 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $72,216 at graduation to $94,684 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing field Related careers are projected to grow up to +8.1% over the next decade, with Engineering Teachers among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 35,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top 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.

Materials Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Materials Sciences graduates earn?

Materials Sciences graduates earn a national median of $94,684 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,395 and $112,834. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Materials Sciences degree?

One year after graduation, Materials Sciences degree holders earn a median of $72,216. That climbs to $94,684 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Materials Sciences degree?

Materials Sciences 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 Sciences program take?

While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Materials Sciences students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.

How many colleges offer Materials Sciences?

68 colleges and universities in the United States offer Materials Sciences programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Materials Sciences degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $94,684 and an average net price of roughly $22,897/yr, a Materials Sciences 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 Sciences and Physical Sciences?

Materials Sciences is a focused concentration within the broader Physical Sciences field. The Physical Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Materials Sciences-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 Sciences graduates?

Employers hiring Materials Sciences 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 Sciences 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 Sciences graduates?

The job outlook for Materials Sciences graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +4.6% 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.