Best institutions to study 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.
45 U.S. institutions graduated 595 Materials Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.1001, a specialization of Materials Sciences (CIP 40.10), and leads most directly to the Materials Scientists occupation (BLS SOC 19-2032).
About Materials Science programs
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.
See also: 14.1801 - Materials Engineering., 40.1002 - Materials Chemistry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Materials Science program focuses on the application of mathematical and scientific principles to analyze and evaluate the characteristics and behavior of solids. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the internal structure, chemical properties, and industrial applications of various materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics. Students in this field will engage in research and practical applications, preparing them for careers that involve developing new materials or enhancing existing ones. The program is suited for those who are passionate about science and technology and wish to contribute to advancements in various industries.
Core coursework in Materials Science includes topics such as Mechanical Properties of Materials, Structural Materials, and Biomaterials. Students will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics, along with knowledge in chemistry, physics, and engineering technology.
Credentials awarded
What Materials Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree245 graduates / yr · 31 institutions41%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship173 graduates / yr · 29 institutions29%
- Bachelor's degree153 graduates / yr · 8 institutions26%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year14 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.0%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.7%
Graduates over time
Materials Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 432 |
| 2013 | 469 |
| 2014 | 485 |
| 2015 | 503 |
| 2016 | 615 |
| 2017 | 582 |
| 2018 | 563 |
| 2019 | 650 |
| 2020 | 640 |
| 2021 | 596 |
| 2022 | 597 |
| 2023 | 644 |
| 2024 | 621 |
| 2025 | 595 |
Top 45 institutions for Materials Science, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 105 | 93% | — | — |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 98 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 3 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 42 | 81% | — | — |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 41 | 86% | — | $72,216 |
| 5 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 37 | 83% | — | — |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 36 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 7 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 17 | 84% | — | — |
| 8 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 16 | 70% | $28,133 | — |
| 9 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 14 | 75% | — | — |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 12 | 91% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 12 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 64% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 68% | — | — |
| 14 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 10 | 76% | — | — |
| 15 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 57% | — | — |
| 16 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 70% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WIPublicBachelor's | 9 | 64% | — | — |
| 18 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicDoctoralMaster's | 8 | 67% | — | — |
| 19 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 55% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 7 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 21 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicDoctoral | 6 | 73% | — | — |
| 22 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicMaster's | 6 | 57% | — | — |
| 23 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 81% | — | — |
| 24 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 6 | 58% | — | — |
| 25 | Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 6 | 87% | $34,827 | — |
| 26 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicMaster's | 6 | 49% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, ALPublicDoctoral | 4 | 64% | — | — |
| 28 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicMaster's | 4 | 87% | — | — |
| 29 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 93% | — | — |
| 30 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicMaster's | 4 | 58% | — | — |
| 31 | Air Force Institute of Technology - Graduate School of Engineering & Management Wright-Patterson AFB, OHPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 32 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 33 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicDoctoralMaster's | 4 | 79% | — | — |
| 34 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicDoctoral | 3 | 61% | — | — |
| 35 | Montana Technological University Butte, MTPublicDoctoral | 3 | 58% | — | — |
| 36 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 37 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicDoctoral | 2 | 86% | — | — |
| 38 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicMaster's | 2 | 69% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 90% | — | — |
| 40 | Norfolk State University Norfolk, VAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 38% | — | — |
| 41 | The Catholic University of America Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 79% | $27,724 | — |
| 42 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster's | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 95% | $19,452 | — |
| 44 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicDoctoral | 1 | 59% | — | — |
| 45 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster's | 1 | 67% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Materials Sciences field (CIP 40.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states & territories
Where Materials Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Materials Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2032, Materials Scientists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Materials Science program can pursue careers as Materials Scientists, with an average annual wage of $104,160. 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. A typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.1001
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Materials Scientistsprimary SOC 19-2032 | $117,790 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~600 | Bachelor's degree |
Architectural and Engineering Managers SOC 11-9041 | $171,270 | +3.8% About as fast as average | ~14,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other SOC 19-4099 | $62,280 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~10,600 | Associate's degree |
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1032 | $109,270 | +8.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Materials Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Materials Sciences specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Materials Sciences (CIP 40.10).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Materials Science?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Materials Science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, science, and mathematics.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Materials Science?+
You can work as a Materials Scientist, Architectural and Engineering Manager, or in various technician roles.
What is the job outlook for Materials Scientists?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9% and around 600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Materials Science?+
Materials Science is CIP 40.1001 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Materials Sciences (CIP 40.10). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Materials Science programs?+
45 U.S. institutions reported Materials Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states & territories, awarding 595 credentials in the year. That is 94.0% of all Materials Sciences graduates.
How much do Materials Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Materials Scientists occupation, which Materials Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $117,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Materials Sciences field report median earnings of $72,216 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Materials Sciences graduates, so its figures match the Materials Sciences program page.
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