Materials Science
A program that focuses on the general application of mathematical and scientific principles to the analysis and evaluation of the characteristics and behavior of solids, including internal structure, chemical properties, transport and energy flow properties, thermodynamics of solids, stress and failure factors, chemical transformation states and processes, compound materials, and research on industrial applications of specific materials.
- Schools offering
- 14
- Annual completions
- 159
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $106k
About this major
A program that focuses on the general application of mathematical and scientific principles to the analysis and evaluation of the characteristics and behavior of solids, including internal structure, chemical properties, transport and energy flow properties, thermodynamics of solids, stress and failure factors, chemical transformation states and processes, compound materials, and research on industrial applications of specific materials.
Examples of specialized tracks: Mechanical Properties of Materials, Structural Materials, Electronic and Optical Materials, Biomaterials, Materials Theory, Surface Technology.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural and engineering managers | $168k | +3.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other | $60k | +3.5% | Associate's degree |
| Engineering teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +8.1% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Materials scientists | $104k | +4.9% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$106k
Top colleges for Materials Science
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | University Park, PA | 0 | 57 | 57 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 0 | 32 | 32 |
| University of California-Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | 0 | 28 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 0 | 15 | 15 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 0 | 11 | 11 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Eau Claire, WI | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez | Mayaguez, PR | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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