by our College Data Analytics Team
[Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying materials engineering schools.
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Below are the schools whose materials engineering graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Michigan State University, our #1 for materials engineering graduate salaries in the Great Lakes Region. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. After graduating, materials engineering degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $95,671 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #2 place for materials engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. After graduating, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $96,928 annually.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the highest-paying schools for materials engineering. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. After graduating, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $95,471 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison produces some of the highest-paid graduates in materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school located in the city of Madison. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of about $85,207 a year early in their careers.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Materials Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of about $92,120 a year early in their careers.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying materials engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career materials engineering graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $78,265 per year.
Michigan Technological University earned the #7 position for materials engineering graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Early-career materials engineering graduates from Michigan Technological University make a median of around $81,891 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for materials engineering. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Early-career materials engineering graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $69,175 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their materials engineering graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 8 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.