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.
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Materials Sciences Degrees Trends
#265Most Popular Major
642Degrees Awarded
239Schools Offering Degrees
In 2021-2022, materials sciences was the 265th most popular major nationwide with 642 degrees awarded.
Our 2025 Best Materials Sciences Schools ranking analyzes 11 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for materials sciences students. Explore this or one of our many other custom materials science rankings further below.
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Requirements for Getting a Degree in Materials Sciences
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.
ADBLOCK #171
Getting Accepted Into a Materials Sciences Program
materials sciences degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional materials science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Materials Sciences Degree Types
There are many different materials science degree levels. You can get anything from a in materials sciences to the highest materials science degree, a . Depending on the materials sciences degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
Degree
Credit Requirements
Typical Program Length
Associate Degree
60-70 credits
2 years
Bachelor’s Degree
120 credits
4 years
Master’s Degree
50-70 credits
1-3 years
Doctorate
Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation
At least 4 years
Career Opportunities for Materials Science Majors
$72.2kAverage Starting Salary
8% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
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.
Solid Growth Projected for Materials Science Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your materials science degree? Materials Sciences careers are expected to grow 8.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to materials sciences.
Occupation Name
Projected Jobs
Expected Growth
Professors
258,700
9.4%
Architectural and Engineering Managers
190,000
5.5%
Chemists
94,000
6.5%
Natural Sciences Managers
62,300
9.9%
Engineering Professors
54,600
14.7%
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How Much Money Do People With a Materials Science Degree Make?
Recently graduated materials sciences students earned an average of $72,216 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $72,216 to as high as $72,216. As you might expect, salaries for materials science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
High Paying Careers for Materials Science Majors
Salaries for materials sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers materials science grads often go into.
Occupation Name
Median Average Salary
Architectural and Engineering Managers
$148,970
Natural Sciences Managers
$139,680
Engineering Professors
$113,680
Materials Scientists
$102,450
Chemistry Professors
$92,360
ADBLOCK #172
Getting Your Materials Sciences Degree
With over 114 different materials science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased materials science school rankings to help you with this.
by our College Data Analytics Team
