Materials Engineering

What graduates really earn, where the degree pays off most, and whether the numbers add up for you.

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$72,640

Median Earnings

$92,070

Schools Offering

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $86,084Median: $92,07075th: $95,314

Best Schools for Materials Engineering by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Purdue University-Main Campus IN · Public	91	$107,557	$14,600	$21,335	B+
2	University of California-Irvine CA · Public	94	$106,547	$14,251	$9,987	A
3	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public	96	$100,599	$16,665	$17,000	A
4	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$98,879	$13,138	$17,750	A
5	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public	93	$97,924	$14,355	$17,916	A
6	Lehigh University PA · Private	93	$97,904	$36,931	$26,324	B
7	University of Maryland-College Park MD · Public	94	$97,714	$15,678	N/A	-
8	Michigan State University MI · Public	79	$95,761	$19,680	$27,925	B
9	University of Washington-Seattle Campus WA · Public	94	$95,314	$14,091	$20,915	B+
10	Drexel University PA · Private	82	$94,694	$38,509	$31,000	B
11	University of Connecticut CT · Public	85	$93,464	$25,097	$27,000	B
12	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus CT · Public	85	$93,464	$10,875	$27,000	B
13	University of Connecticut-Avery Point CT · Public	87	$93,464	$13,807	$27,000	B
14	University of Connecticut-Stamford CT · Public	84	$93,464	$16,798	$27,000	B
15	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus CT · Public	87	$93,464	$16,403	$27,000	B
16	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA · Public	97	$92,260	$12,116	$17,123	A
17	Michigan Technological University MI · Public	89	$92,070	$14,182	$27,000	B
18	Winona State University MN · Public	69	$91,528	$17,503	$22,000	B+
19	University of Wisconsin-Madison WI · Public	91	$91,265	$17,354	$20,676	B+
20	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University VA · Public	89	$90,828	$24,953	$27,000	B
21	University of California-Davis CA · Public	95	$89,983	$14,741	$18,777	B+
22	North Carolina State University at Raleigh NC · Public	87	$89,968	$17,303	$21,111	B+
23	Arizona State University Campus Immersion AZ · Public	77	$89,913	$14,967	$23,733	B+
24	University of Florida FL · Public	92	$87,779	$6,541	N/A	-
25	Washington State University WA · Public	84	$86,145	$14,971	$29,760	C
26	Ohio State University-Main Campus OH · Public	77	$86,084	$17,339	$19,500	B+
27	Clemson University SC · Public	86	$85,883	$22,253	$25,243	B
28	University of Kentucky KY · Public	69	$84,796	$18,851	N/A	-
29	University of Alabama at Birmingham AL · Public	55	$83,985	$18,749	N/A	-
30	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities MN · Public	88	$83,945	$16,778	$21,250	B
31	Iowa State University IA · Public	79	$83,416	$18,589	$23,125	B
32	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NY · Private	93	$82,947	$36,228	$23,250	B+
33	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee WI · Public	59	$82,131	$15,014	$29,750	B
34	University of North Texas TX · Public	67	$78,250	$15,649	$26,823	B+

Exceptional Value

Is Materials Engineering Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

If you're weighing Materials Engineering, the money case is about as strong as it gets. Graduates average $72,640 four years out, well above the typical major, so the degree tends to pay for itself fast. The harder question here isn't whether it's worth it - it's where you study it.

This is a more specialized field, offered at 36 schools in our data. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so weigh each aid offer closely.

The top earner here is University of Maryland-College Park, where graduates pull $97,714 four years out. But an average hides a wide spread - where you go, and what you do with the degree, matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Materials Engineering All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

Materials Engineering

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

Best Schools for Materials Engineering by Earnings

Is Materials Engineering Worth It?

The Numbers Support This Major

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