Best institutions to study Polymer/Plastics Engineering
Compare 13 U.S. colleges offering Polymer/Plastics Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 8 states.
Polymer/Plastics Engineering programs report a median of $75,800 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 14.32 and the Materials Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Polymer/Plastics Engineering programs
The Polymer/Plastics Engineering program focuses on the design, analysis, and modification of polymer materials. It encompasses various aspects of the petrochemical industry, including polymerization, the structure and characterization of polymers, and their properties and applications. This program is ideal for students interested in engineering solutions that involve plastics and other polymer materials.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics, alongside knowledge in engineering technology, chemistry, and physics. Coursework typically includes the study of polymer processing, material performance evaluation, and product design objectives.
Top 4 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 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,114 | 56 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,800 | 15 | 55% | — | $23,850 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $71,651 | 8 | 53% | — | $27,875 |
| 4 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,375 | 18 | 65% | — | $21,656 |
Offered across 8 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | $77,114 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | $75,800 | University of Wisconsin - Stout |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $71,651 | Pennsylvania College of Technology |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | $60,375 | Western Washington University |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 2 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2131, Materials Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Polymer/Plastics Engineering program can expect a favorable job outlook, with a projected growth rate of 5.7% and approximately 1,500 annual job openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is around $108,310, and a typical education requirement is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Polymer/Plastics Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.32.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.32 (Polymer/Plastics Engineering) maps to 4 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 |
| 17-2041 | Chemical Engineers |
| 17-2131 | Materials Engineersprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Polymer/Plastics Engineering 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
- 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.
Concentrations within Polymer/Plastics Engineering
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Polymer/Plastics EngineeringCIP 14.3201
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of synthesized macromolecular compounds and their application
Common questions
What is Polymer/Plastics Engineering?+
It is an engineering field focused on designing, analyzing, and modifying polymer materials.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning, among others.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
The job outlook is strong, with a growth rate of 5.7% and around 1,500 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for graduates?+
The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $108,310.
How much do Polymer/Plastics Engineering graduates earn?+
Polymer/Plastics Engineering graduates report median earnings of $75,800 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Materials Engineers occupation pays about $120,250 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Polymer/Plastics Engineering?+
Polymer/Plastics Engineering maps to CIP 14.32 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card