undergraduate
Materials science
Best schools with materials science
What is a materials science major?
Materials science concentrates on the general application of mathematical and scientific principles to the evaluation of the characteristics and behavior of solids, including internal structure, chemical properties, transport and energy flow properties, thermodynamics of solids, stress and failure factors, chemical transformation states and processes, compound materials, and research on industrial applications of specific materials.
of students said they were motivated to select this major because it fit their passion & interest.
How much do materials science majors make?
median average salary
$91,000/yr
The national average salary for materials science graduates in the United States is $91,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $210,000 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $32,400 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, materials science graduates typically make between $60,000 and $160,000 per year.
How popular is materials science as a major?
Each year, around 200 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and fewer than 5 students obtain an associate degree in materials science. In 2021, 203 students received a bachelor's degree and fewer than 5 students received an associate degree. This is 7% fewer materials science majors than there were in 2020. Materials science is one of the most popular majors within chemistry.
Advice from materials science majors
Share your experienceMaterials Science is an extremely fascinating and interdisciplinary field. My advice for prospective students would be to have a solid foundation in chemistry, physics, and math and to engage in research early in their academic careers. Materials Science has so many amazing applications and the research is super cutting edge!
