Materials Science: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Materials Science is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the fundamental properties and behaviors of solid materials at atomic and macroscopic levels. By integrating principles from physics, chemistry, and engineering, this program equips students to analyze, design, and innovate materials for advanced technological applications across industries.
- Internal structure of solids: Exploration of atomic and crystalline arrangements that define a material’s physical and mechanical performance.
- Chemical properties: Study of how elemental composition and bonding influence material stability, reactivity, and functionality.
- Transport and energy flow properties: Investigation into how materials conduct heat, electricity, and mass, critical for applications in electronics and energy systems.
- Thermodynamics of solids: Analysis of energy changes and phase stability under varying temperature and pressure conditions.
- Stress and failure mechanisms: Examination of deformation, fracture, and durability under mechanical loads to predict material lifespan.
- Chemical transformation states and processes: Understanding reactions and transitions such as oxidation, phase changes, and synthesis pathways.
- Compound materials: Development and evaluation of composites, alloys, and hybrid systems that combine multiple materials for enhanced performance.
- Industrial applications research: Applied study of material design for real-world uses in aerospace, biomedical devices, sustainable infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
Materials Science Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Materials Science Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Materials Science degrees, including Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary and Materials Scientists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 329,980 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | $167,740 | $111,450 - $239,200 | 210,340 | $80.64 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1032 | $106,120 | $59,790 - $200,650 | 39,910 | N/A |
| Materials Scientists 19-2032 | $104,160 | $61,460 - $168,500 | 8,330 | $50.08 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other 19-4099 | $60,130 | $37,310 - $101,870 | 71,400 | $28.91 |
Materials Science Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $90,653 in Montana to $134,565 in California—a 48% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Delaware, and New Mexico. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 329,980 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Materials Science by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 52 institutions offering Materials Science programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Materials Science is found at University of California (UCB), Berkeley (111 graduates), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (85 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (57 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (46 graduates), and University of Delaware (UD) (34 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 624 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
111 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
85 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
57 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
46 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of Delaware (UD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Newark, Delaware | Public | udel.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Master's
|
23 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
14 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Master's
|
9 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Kent State University |
Master's
|
9 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Duke University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Stevens Institute of Technology |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
6 | Hoboken, New Jersey | Private | stevens.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Master's
|
5 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
5 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Master's
|
3 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Master's
|
2 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| Pittsburg State University |
Master's
|
2 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| Rowan University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Norfolk State University (NSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | nsu.edu |
| University of Alabama (UAH) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Huntsville, Alabama | Public | uah.edu |
| University of Denver (DU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Denver, Colorado | Private | du.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| University of Kentucky (UK) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Lexington, Kentucky | Public | uky.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Master's
|
1 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) |
Master's
|
1 | Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio | Public | afit.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Materials Science programs
How much can I earn with a Materials Science degree?
Salaries for Materials Science graduates vary by role and location. Architectural and Engineering Managers earn a median of $167,740 annually, while Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $106,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $134,565 compared to $90,653 in Montana. Approximately 329,980 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Materials Science programs?
Currently 52 accredited institutions offer Materials Science degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCB), Berkeley (111 graduates), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) (85 graduates), and Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (57 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Materials Science growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 343 in 2010 to a peak of 645 in 2020, before declining slightly to 624 in 2023-24. This represents a 82% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Materials Science degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Architectural and Engineering Managers, Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, and Materials Scientists. Related occupations employ approximately 329,980 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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