Best institutions to study Materials Sciences
Compare 54 U.S. colleges offering Materials Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 31 states.
Materials Sciences programs report a median of $72,216 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 40.10 and the Materials Scientists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Materials Sciences programs
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 engineered for specific applications, focusing on areas such as metals, polymers, and ceramics. Students will engage in both theoretical and practical aspects of materials science, preparing them for a variety of roles in research and development. This program is ideal for those who enjoy problem-solving and have a strong foundation in physical sciences. Students will learn how to manipulate material properties to enhance existing products or develop new ones, making it suitable for individuals aiming to impact industries such as engineering, manufacturing, and technology.
In the Materials Sciences program, students will develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Coursework typically covers engineering and technology, chemistry, and physics, providing a solid foundation for understanding material properties and behaviors. Students will also engage in hands-on research and testing to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $72,216 | 41 | 86% | — | $24,750 |
Offered across 31 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvanialimited | 2 | $72,216 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus |
| Alabamalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 6 | — | — |
| Coloradolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Florida | 3 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michigan | 3 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jersey | 3 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 6 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 2 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2032, Materials Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Materials Sciences program can pursue careers in various fields, including research and development, quality assurance, and materials testing. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 600 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this area is $104,160, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Materials Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 40.10.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 40.10 (Materials Sciences) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-2031 | Chemists |
| 19-2032 | Materials Scientistsprimary |
| 19-4099 | Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1052 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Materials Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
- Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
- Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
- Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
- Prepare reports, manuscripts, proposals, and technical manuals for use by other scientists and requestors, such as sponsors and customers.
- Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials with special characteristics.
Concentrations within Materials Sciences
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Materials ScienceCIP 40.1001
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,
- Materials ChemistryCIP 40.1002
A program that focuses on the synthesis and study of organic or inorganic materials and their electronic, magnetic, optical or mechanical properties
- Materials Sciences, OtherCIP 40.1099
Any instructional program in materials sciences not listed above.
Common questions
What is Materials Sciences?+
Materials Sciences is an interdisciplinary field focused on understanding the relationships between material structures and their properties.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and scientific research, among others.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
The field has a growth rate of 4.9%, with around 600 annual job openings and a median wage of $104,160.
What education is required for a career in Materials Sciences?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Materials Sciences graduates earn?+
Materials Sciences graduates report median earnings of $72,216 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Materials Scientists occupation pays about $126,180 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Materials Sciences?+
Materials Sciences maps to CIP 40.10 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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