Best programs to become a materials engineer
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for materials engineers. The fields of study that lead most directly to this job are Materials Engineering; Textile Sciences and Engineering; and Polymer/Plastics Engineering (IPEDS completions).
5 college programs at 123 schools train materials engineers, graduating 3,907 people a year (IPEDS completions). The job pays a median of $112,860 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About materials engineers
Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.
Best programs to study to become a materials engineer
Ranked by graduates per year (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are College Scorecard figures for people who finished the program, reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. That is a different measurement from the occupation-wide wages further down this page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.1801 | 3,215 | 82.3% | 112 | $74,110 | $23,250 |
| 2 | Textile Sciences and Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.2801 | 285 | 7.3% | 3 | $45,078 | $24,725 |
| 3 | Polymer/Plastics Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.3201 | 212 | 5.4% | 13 | $71,651 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Metallurgical Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.2001 | 142 | 3.6% | 9 | $75,484 | $26,634 |
| 5 | Ceramic Sciences and Engineeringmain feeder CIP 14.0601 | 53 | 1.4% | 4 | $71,644 | $23,375 |
Top 50 schools by graduates into this job
Counting every feeder program a school offers, not just its largest one.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · 2 feeder programs | 340 | Textile Sciences and Engineering | 85% | — | 42% |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · 1 feeder program | 123 | Materials Engineering | 84% | — | 57% |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · 1 feeder program | 119 | Materials Engineering | 91% | — | 24% |
| 4 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · 1 feeder program | 116 | Materials Engineering | 93% | — | 9% |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · 1 feeder program | 115 | Materials Engineering | 85% | — | 42% |
| 6 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GA Public · 1 feeder program | 114 | Materials Engineering | 94% | — | 14% |
| 7 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN Public · 1 feeder program | 112 | Materials Engineering | 83% | — | 50% |
| 8 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · 1 feeder program | 112 | Materials Engineering | 85% | — | 39% |
| 9 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 102 | Materials Engineering | 95% | $17,613 | 9% |
| 10 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 94 | Materials Engineering | 92% | $12,032 | 4% |
| 11 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · 3 feeder programs | 84 | Metallurgical Engineering | 82% | — | 61% |
| 12 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 81 | Materials Engineering | 97% | $22,055 | 5% |
| 13 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 78 | Materials Engineering | 86% | — | 55% |
| 14 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · 1 feeder program | 76 | Materials Engineering | 93% | — | 16% |
| 15 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 69 | Materials Engineering | 94% | $11,888 | 6% |
| 16 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · 1 feeder program | 65 | Materials Engineering | 68% | — | 90% |
| 17 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · 1 feeder program | 64 | Materials Engineering | 88% | — | 61% |
| 18 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 61 | Materials Engineering | 95% | $14,799 | 8% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · 1 feeder program | 56 | Materials Engineering | 86% | — | 61% |
| 20 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA Public · 1 feeder program | 56 | Polymer/Plastics Engineering | 65% | — | 83% |
| 21 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN Public · 1 feeder program | 52 | Materials Engineering | 85% | — | 80% |
| 22 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CA Public · 1 feeder program | 47 | Materials Engineering | 87% | — | 29% |
| 23 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · 2 feeder programs | 47 | Materials Engineering | 65% | — | 86% |
| 24 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · 2 feeder programs | 47 | Materials Engineering | 90% | — | 45% |
| 25 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · 1 feeder program | 46 | Materials Engineering | 86% | — | 27% |
| 26 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Public · 1 feeder program | 43 | Polymer/Plastics Engineering | 49% | — | 99% |
| 27 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 42 | Materials Engineering | 96% | $11,666 | 5% |
| 28 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · 1 feeder program | 42 | Materials Engineering | 32% | — | 99% |
| 29 | University of California - Davis Davis, CA Public · 1 feeder program | 42 | Materials Engineering | 86% | — | 42% |
| 30 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 41 | Materials Engineering | 78% | $36,004 | 79% |
| 31 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CT Public · 1 feeder program | 41 | Materials Engineering | 83% | — | 52% |
| 32 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL Public · 1 feeder program | 39 | Materials Engineering | 78% | — | 40% |
| 33 | Clemson University Clemson, SC Public · 1 feeder program | 38 | Materials Engineering | 87% | — | 38% |
| 34 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · 1 feeder program | 37 | Materials Engineering | 74% | — | 78% |
| 35 | Boise State University Boise, ID Public · 1 feeder program | 36 | Materials Engineering | 60% | — | 87% |
| 36 | Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 36 | Materials Engineering | 88% | $26,912 | 26% |
| 37 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · 3 feeder programs | 35 | Metallurgical Engineering | 64% | — | 73% |
| 38 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · 1 feeder program | 34 | Materials Engineering | 86% | — | 31% |
| 39 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · 1 feeder program | 33 | Materials Engineering | 0% | — | 67% |
| 40 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · 2 feeder programs | 33 | Materials Engineering | 87% | $27,976 | 37% |
| 41 | Iowa State University Ames, IA Public · 1 feeder program | 33 | Materials Engineering | 75% | — | 89% |
| 42 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI Public · 1 feeder program | 32 | Materials Engineering | 68% | — | 92% |
| 43 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · 1 feeder program | 31 | Materials Engineering | 74% | — | 42% |
| 44 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · 1 feeder program | 29 | Ceramic Sciences and Engineering | 84% | — | 58% |
| 45 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MA Public · 2 feeder programs | 29 | Polymer/Plastics Engineering | 83% | — | 60% |
| 46 | Washington State University Pullman, WA Public · 1 feeder program | 29 | Materials Engineering | 60% | — | 87% |
| 47 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · 1 feeder program | 28 | Materials Engineering | 89% | $21,956 | 11% |
| 48 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · 1 feeder program | 28 | Materials Engineering | 85% | — | 58% |
| 49 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH Public · 1 feeder program | 26 | Materials Engineering | 75% | — | 85% |
| 50 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · 1 feeder program | 26 | Materials Engineering | 89% | — | 45% |
Fields of study that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level, the tier our program pages are built on. Numbers are graduates per year.
What materials engineers earn
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
Top-paying states
Top-paying metro areas
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
Where the jobs are, state by state
Pick a state for in-state pay, the schools there, and the programs they run.
| State | Median pay | Jobs | Concentration | Schools | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $128,470 | 3,020 | 1.13× | 14 | 476 |
| North Carolinamoderate | $104,240 | 640 | 0.88× | 3 | 345 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,030 | 720 | 0.81× | 9 | 282 |
| Texas | $117,700 | 1,440 | 0.70× | 11 | 242 |
| Illinoismoderate | $126,620 | 290 | 0.33× | 4 | 194 |
| Massachusetts | $114,100 | 1,360 | 2.56× | 7 | 183 |
| Floridamoderate | $118,780 | 690 | 0.47× | 4 | 176 |
| New York | $125,900 | 590 | 0.42× | 7 | 173 |
| Washingtonmoderate | $139,840 | 1,000 | 1.92× | 4 | 164 |
| Coloradomoderate | $124,030 | 810 | 1.92× | 3 | 163 |
| Ohio | $106,510 | 1,790 | 2.20× | 6 | 155 |
| Michiganmoderate | $94,050 | 810 | 1.25× | 4 | 122 |
| Indianalimited | $101,120 | 570 | 1.21× | 2 | 118 |
| Georgialimited | $100,840 | 700 | 0.98× | 1 | 114 |
| Virginialimited | $116,720 | 620 | 1.03× | 2 | 100 |
| Arizonalimited | $106,810 | 580 | 1.23× | 2 | 98 |
| Marylandlimited | $140,640 | 740 | 1.82× | 2 | 95 |
| Wisconsinmoderate | $96,210 | 280 | 0.66× | 4 | 83 |
| Alabamamoderate | $107,580 | 650 | 2.11× | 4 | 64 |
| Minnesotamoderate | $106,220 | 150 | 0.34× | 3 | 64 |
| Utahlimited | $88,080 | 460 | 1.79× | 2 | 51 |
| Missourilimited | $98,860 | 300 | 0.70× | 2 | 43 |
| Mississippilimited | $78,700 | 100 | 0.59× | 1 | 43 |
| Connecticutlimited | $122,300 | 420 | 1.68× | 1 | 41 |
| New Jerseymoderate | $106,920 | 260 | 0.41× | 3 | 41 |
| South Carolinalimited | $121,610 | 600 | 1.77× | 1 | 38 |
| Idaholimited | $105,820 | 90 | 0.71× | 1 | 36 |
| Iowalimited | $64,270 | 200 | 0.87× | 1 | 33 |
| Tennesseelimited | $91,940 | 330 | 0.70× | 1 | 31 |
| Kentuckylimited | $100,620 | 280 | 0.94× | 2 | 22 |
| New Mexicolimited | $165,600 | 450 | 3.56× | 1 | 21 |
| Oregonlimited | $122,850 | 120 | 0.43× | 1 | 21 |
| Nevadalimited | $99,010 | 100 | 0.44× | 1 | 15 |
| Arkansaslimited | $103,900 | 90 | 0.48× | 1 | 9 |
| Montanalimited | $76,030 | 90 | 1.25× | 1 | 8 |
| Oklahomalimited | $99,950 | 240 | 0.97× | 1 | 6 |
| Rhode Islandlimited | $87,180 | 50 | 0.66× | 1 | 6 |
| Kansaslimited | $100,000 | 270 | 1.28× | 1 | 4 |
| Louisianalimited | $128,670 | 90 | 0.31× | 2 | 4 |
Skills and knowledge
From O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupational database. Importance is a 1 to 5 scale.
What they do day to day
- Analyze product failure data and laboratory test results to determine causes of problems and develop solutions.
- Design and direct the testing or control of processing procedures.
- Monitor material performance, and evaluate its deterioration.
- Conduct or supervise tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
- Evaluate technical specifications and economic factors relating to process or product design objectives.
- Modify properties of metal alloys, using thermal and mechanical treatments.
- Determine appropriate methods for fabricating and joining materials.
- Guide technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.
Skills
- Active Listening4.0
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Science4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Writing3.8
- Mathematics3.8
- Speaking3.8
- Active Learning3.3
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.3
- Chemistry4.3
- Physics4.2
- Production and Processing4.1
- Mathematics4.1
- English Language3.9
Abilities
- Oral Expression4.0
- Inductive Reasoning4.0
- Oral Comprehension4.0
- Deductive Reasoning4.0
- Category Flexibility4.0
- Written Comprehension4.0
Core activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems4.4
- Analyzing Data or Information4.4
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge4.4
- Getting Information4.4
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events4.3
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings4.2
How to get in
How to become a materials engineer
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Every major mapped to this job
The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.
All 5 majors mapped to Materials Engineers5 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
- 14.0601Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
- 14.1801Materials Engineering
- 14.2001Metallurgical Engineering
- 14.2801Textile Sciences and Engineering
- 14.3201Polymer/Plastics Engineering
Related careers
Jobs O*NET identifies as close to this one, with their own pay and outlook.
Common questions
What degree do you need to become a materials engineer?+
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for materials engineers. The fields of study that lead most directly to this job are Materials Engineering; Textile Sciences and Engineering; and Polymer/Plastics Engineering (IPEDS completions).
Which college majors lead to becoming a materials engineer?+
The fields of study that lead most directly to this job are Materials Engineering; Textile Sciences and Engineering; and Polymer/Plastics Engineering (IPEDS completions). In all, the NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 5 programs to this job, which together graduate about 3,907 people a year.
How much do materials engineers earn?+
The median is $112,860 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). The middle range runs from $72,300 at the 10th percentile to $175,720 at the 90th. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.
Is demand for materials engineers growing?+
BLS projects a +5.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, faster than average, with roughly 1,500 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.
How many schools offer programs for this career?+
123 institutions reported graduates from at least one of the 5 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.
What other job titles do materials engineers work under?+
Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Metallurgist, Materials Engineer, Metallurgical Engineer, Materials Research Engineer among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 17-2131.
About the data on this page
Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024-25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics
May 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.
IPEDS Completions
2024-25 (provisional)Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.
College Scorecard, Field of Study
2020-21 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
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