by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in General Materials Science involves the study of Materials Science. A Program That Focuses On The General Application Of Mathematical And Scientific Principles To The Analysis And 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. Examples: [Mechanical Properties Of Materials], [Structural Materials], [Electronic And Optical Materials], [Biomaterials], [Materials Theory], [Surface Technology]. Read on to learn the key facts every general materials science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general materials science programs.
In the U.S., general materials science draws strong interest, with 624 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Materials Science Schools ranking analyzes these 52 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general materials science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general materials science programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Materials Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general materials science graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a general materials science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a general materials science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general materials science 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 | 161 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 275 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 188 |
People currently working in careers related to general materials science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 38.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 18.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 12.3% |
| Master’s degree | 11.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.5% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.0% |
| Some college courses | 0.5% |
| 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 general materials science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in general materials science opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to general materials science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general materials science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 207,139 | 9.0% |
| Quality Control Analysts | 105,873 | 12.9% |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | 71,781 | 0.4% |
| Remote Sensing Technicians | 30,427 | -2.2% |
| Materials Scientists | 10,214 | 1.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of general materials science 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 general materials science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general materials science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,889 |
| Quality Control Analysts | $53,423 |
With 52 different general materials science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general materials science school rankings to help you.
Those considering general materials science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Materials Chemistry | 16 |
| Materials Sciences, Other | 10 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
