Best colleges for Materials Sciences in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania State University award the most Materials Sciences degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania: 103 and 41 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 Pennsylvania colleges offer Materials Sciences and award 144 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Materials Sciences program is an interdisciplinary field that explores the relationships between the structure of materials and their properties. This program is designed for students interested in understanding how materials can be…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,216 | 41 | 86% | — | $24,750 |
Colleges awarding the most Materials Sciences degrees in Pennsylvania
Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh Private not-for-profit | 103 | Not reported |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 41 | $72,216 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Materials Scientists (SOC 19-2032).
Top skills
What Materials Scientists earn in Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Materials Sciences programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Materials Sciences degrees?+
Carnegie Mellon University (103 graduates a year) and Pennsylvania State University (41 graduates a year) award the most Materials Sciences degrees and certificates in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 Pennsylvania colleges offer Materials Sciences.
Which Materials Sciences program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pennsylvania State University tops the list at $72,216. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Materials Scientists earn in Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Materials Scientists in Pennsylvania is $107,370 (median $106,920), across about 100 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Materials Sciences program?+
The Materials Sciences program is an interdisciplinary field that explores the relationships between the structure of materials and their properties. This program is designed for students interested in understanding how materials can be…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, active listening, science, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Materials Scientists?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 600 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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