Materials Engineering
Offered at 242 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 8 | — | — | — |
| Associate | 3 | — | — | — |
| Bachelor's | 62 | $75,832 | $97,394 | $20,885 |
| Master's | 89 | $104,900 | $121,730 | — |
| Doctoral | 72 | — | — | — |
| Graduate certificate | 8 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
Highest-earning certificate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davis Technical College | UT | — | $66,447 | — |
| 2 | Great Bay Community College | NH | — | $62,676 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning bachelor's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | CA | $77,737 | $129,740 | $18,500 |
| 2 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | $86,291 | $108,755 | — |
| 3 | Drexel University | PA | $84,983 | $108,354 | $31,000 |
| 4 | University of California-Irvine | CA | $76,070 | $108,340 | — |
| 5 | University of Florida | FL | $75,832 | $108,299 | — |
| 6 | University of Connecticut | CT | $74,178 | $104,982 | — |
| 7 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus | CT | $74,178 | $104,982 | — |
| 8 | University of Connecticut-Avery Point | CT | $74,178 | $104,982 | — |
| 9 | University of Connecticut-Stamford | CT | $74,178 | $104,982 | — |
| 10 | University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus | CT | $74,178 | $104,982 | — |
| 11 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | GA | — | $104,920 | $20,000 |
| 12 | University of Maryland-College Park | MD | $74,976 | $100,096 | — |
| 13 | Boise State University | ID | $75,650 | $99,482 | $27,000 |
| 14 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | NY | $79,144 | $99,089 | — |
| 15 | University of California-Riverside | CA | $66,124 | $98,983 | $23,276 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning master's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles | CA | $118,998 | $143,954 | — |
| 2 | Portland State University | OR | $125,486 | — | — |
| 3 | Drexel University | PA | — | $125,120 | — |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | NC | — | $121,730 | — |
| 5 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | WA | — | $120,750 | — |
| 6 | University of Dayton | OH | — | $113,233 | — |
| 7 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | $104,900 | — | — |
| 8 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | AZ | $104,900 | — | — |
| 9 | University of Florida | FL | $97,241 | — | — |
| 10 | California State University-Northridge | CA | $94,009 | — | — |
| 11 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | MA | $92,786 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning doctoral programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University | IL | $150,801 | — | — |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | PA | $121,313 | — | — |
| 3 | University of Florida | FL | — | $110,824 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Quick answers
- How much do materials engineering graduates earn?
- One year after finishing, a typical bachelor's program in materials engineering reports median earnings of $75,832. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field of study data.
