Bright outlook
Management
Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Median pay
- $171,270
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
Materials Sciences
CIP40.10
45 colleges offer Materials Sciences. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 45
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $119,715
- median, 4 years after
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 3
- Bachelor's
- 16
- Master's
- 41
- Doctoral
- 45
- First professional
- 1
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 9
What it covers
About Materials Sciences
Materials Sciences is part of Physical Sciences: instructional programs that focus on the scientific study of inanimate objects, processes of matter and energy, and associated phenomena.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 40.10.
Programs in this field
Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 40.10.
- Materials Science
- Materials Chemistry
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 3 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Bachelor's | 16 | $119,7154 yrs after · 1 college | Not reported |
| Master's | 41 | $86,1791 yr after · 1 college | Not reported |
| Doctoral | 45 | $164,6514 yrs after · 1 college | Not reported |
| First professional | 1 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 9 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Materials Sciences graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
Pittsburgh, PA · Private nonprofit · 32 graduates
$119,715
debt not reported
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Materials Sciences by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Management
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Median pay
- $171,270
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Bright outlook
Management
Clinical Research Coordinators
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Bright outlook
Management
Natural Sciences Managers
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Science
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Management
Water Resource Specialists
- Median pay
- $167,220
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Bright outlook
Science
Materials Scientists
- Median pay
- $117,790
- Outlook
- Much faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Education
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $109,270
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
Education
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
- Median pay
- $93,250
- Outlook
- As fast as average
Doctoral or professional degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
More in Physical Sciences
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this areaQuestions about Materials Sciences
How many colleges offer Materials Sciences?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Materials Sciences at these degree levels: certificate (3 colleges), bachelor's (16 colleges), master's (41 colleges), doctoral (45 colleges), first professional (1 college), graduate/professional certificate (9 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Materials Sciences graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Materials Sciences earn $119,715 a year four years after finishing, across 1 college that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Materials Sciences graduates earn the most?
Carnegie Mellon University reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Materials Sciences: $119,715 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.