Entry Level Salary
$60,000
Median Salary
$136,867
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
11.2%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $5,474,680
Entry (Early)
$60,000
Median (Prime)
$136,867
High (Prime)
$145,775
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+81k
+700k
+771k
$25k / yr
-9k
+610k
+681k
$50k / yr
-99k
+520k
+591k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
34
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
26
26
$50k / yr
Never
28
28
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-9%
561%
627%
$50k / yr
-46%
239%
272%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate61.5%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Engineers, All Other
7.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$78,094
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Postsecondary teachers
7.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$28,363
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$35,397|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Physical scientists, all other
6.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,269
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Materials engineers
6.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,805
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,290|$108,310
openings
1,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.7%
Software developers
5.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$110,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$123,805|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Management occupations
5.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$88,491
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$147,486|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Industrial engineers, including health and safety
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$82,592
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$89,671|$101,490
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.6%
Mechanical engineers
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$68,433
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,000|$102,320
openings
18,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +9.1%
Architectural and engineering managers
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$20,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$180,080|$167,740
openings
14,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.8%
Teaching assistants
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,279
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$28,426|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| materials sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 7 | $92,864 - $119,715 |
| materials sciences. | Master's Degree | 22 | Data N/A |
| materials sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 22 | $164,651 - $164,651 |