by our College Data Analytics TeamCompanies 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.
Learn the key facts every materials sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering materials sciences programs.
Nationwide, materials sciences draws strong interest, with 650 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Materials Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 58 schools to determine the best overall colleges for materials sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of materials sciences programs later in this article.
Programs in Materials Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations materials sciences graduates commonly enter.
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.
The skill set emphasized by a materials sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a materials sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several materials sciences 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 | 162 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 286 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 202 |
People currently working in careers related to materials sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in materials sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
Majoring in materials sciences prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to materials sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to materials sciences.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of materials sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $72,216 |
| 4 years | $78,243 |
| 5 years | $89,182 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for materials sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers materials sciences grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 58 different materials sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased materials sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in materials sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Materials Science | 624 |
| Materials Chemistry | 16 |
| Materials Sciences, Other | 10 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,434 |
| Physics | 12,910 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 7,622 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,661 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,580 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,341 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 422 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
