by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Ceramic Sciences & Engineering covers Ceramic Sciences And Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Design, Development And Operational Evaluation Of Inorganic Non-Metallic Materials, Such As Porcelains, Cements, Industrial Ceramics, Ceramic Superconductors, Abrasive, And Related Materials And Systems. Read on to learn the essential details every ceramic sciences & engineering major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ceramic sciences & engineering programs.
Across the country, ceramic sciences & engineering draws strong interest, with 77 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ceramic Sciences & Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for ceramic sciences & engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ceramic sciences & engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Ceramic Sciences & Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ceramic sciences & engineering graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a ceramic sciences & engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a ceramic sciences & engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ceramic sciences & engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 48 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 19 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 10 |
People currently working in careers related to ceramic sciences & engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 36.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 24.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 12.0% |
| Master’s degree | 11.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in ceramic sciences & engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying ceramic sciences & engineering prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to ceramic sciences & engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ceramic sciences & engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Chemical Engineers | 215,233 | 0.7% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Materials Engineers | 40,988 | -4.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of ceramic sciences & engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $73,133 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for ceramic sciences & engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ceramic sciences & engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chemical Engineers | $130,903 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Materials Engineers | $52,129 |
With 4 different ceramic sciences & engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ceramic sciences & engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
