Field of study · CIP 40.10

Materials Sciences

Offered at 88 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.

By credential level

CredentialProgramsTypical earnings, 1 yrTypical earnings, 5 yrsTypical debt
Certificate1———
Bachelor's10———
Master's35———
Doctoral36———
Graduate certificate6———

"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 bachelor's programs

#CollegeStateEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
1Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA$82,424$124,831—
2Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA$75,929$92,880$21,670

Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.

Highest-earning master's programs

#CollegeStateEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
1Rochester Institute of TechnologyNY$86,179——

Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.

Highest-earning doctoral programs

#CollegeStateEarnings, 1 yrEarnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
1University of California-Santa BarbaraCA—$182,045—

Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.

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