by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 54 U.S. colleges awarded 633 degrees and certificates in Materials Sciences. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 46% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Materials Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $72,216 one year after completing, rising to $111,529 after four years.
Companies are constantly trying to create higher quality products at lower costs. Improving the materials in their products ensures customer satisfaction both in performance and price. As a Materials Science major, you will have the skills to help companies create new materials to build products, aid manufacturing, and improve technology.
Materials Scientists know everything about materials. They study chemical composition of materials, how substances react to certain stressors, how they are processed and used in manufacturing or other industries, and even how to create new materials. You will take classes in chemistry, physics, math, materials engineering and chemical processing in order to learn about all aspects of the different materials we use today.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, materials sciences draws strong interest, with 633 degrees awarded annually. 54 colleges award materials sciences degrees, an average of 12 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 105.
By level, the 633 awards include 155 bachelor’s degrees, 292 master’s degrees and 186 doctorates.
Women earned 35% of materials sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (223 of 633). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (202) and Asian (88), and international students earned 248.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Materials Sciences Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees, 6 for master’s degrees and 4 for doctorates. It also ranks materials sciences schools within 3 states. In all, 54 colleges offer materials sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Materials Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common materials sciences credential is the master’s degree: 292 of the 633 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to materials sciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Computers and Electronics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
The Materials Science field is strongly rooted in math and science, making a background in physics and chemistry helpful to students. You must also have critical thinking and problem solving skills to allow you to develop new materials for a product or help companies decide which materials will work best for their project. Strong communication and teamwork skills will help you work with others towards a common goal, which is frequent in this field.
Employers tend to favor graduates who have previous experience, making internships, summer field camps, or work in an on campus lab important. These experiences will allow you to work closely with a professional or professor and employ classroom knowledge to a real life work setting.
Although a bachelor's degree will allow you to find an entry-level position, most Materials Science graduates go on to get their master's or Ph.D. This allows them to perform research, work in positions with more responsibility, and be more competitive when looking for a job.
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How long a materials sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 155 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 292 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 186 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to materials sciences, at 30.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.3% |
| Master’s degree | 13.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
13 occupations are related to Materials Sciences, with an average median salary of $95,541; the strongest outlook belongs to Quality Control Analysts, at 12.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Assistant Professor, Instructor and Lecturer.
Materials Science graduates work in a variety of fields including technology fields, such as communication and biotechnology, the computer industry, and medical manufacturing. Since we use a variety of materials in our everyday life, graduates are employed in the research and development departments of a many companies.
The occupation related to materials sciences with the most projected jobs is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,297,204.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Quality Control Analysts | 105,873 | 12.9% |
Materials Sciences graduates earn a median $72,216 one year after completing their program, $111,529 after four years and $89,182 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $72,216 |
| 4 years | $111,529 |
| 5 years | $89,182 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to materials sciences is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Materials Scientists | $101,265 |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | $99,834 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $95,957 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
Materials Sciences includes 3 concentrations that together award 633 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Materials Science (595), Materials Sciences, Other (22) and Materials Chemistry (16). It has 8 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 48,070 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry (19,861), Physics (13,929) and Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (7,713). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Materials Science | 595 |
| Materials Sciences, Other | 22 |
| Materials Chemistry | 16 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,861 |
| Physics | 13,929 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,713 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,991 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,749 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,297 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 469 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 61 |
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