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.
Materials Sciences was the 265th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 658 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 4.7% reduction in materials science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 689.
This year's Best Materials Sciences Schools ranking compares 24 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom materials science rankings further below.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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% |
Materials Sciences graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $64,925 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $64,925 to as high as $64,925. As you might expect, salaries for materials science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
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 |
With over 111 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.
One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Materials Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| General Materials Science | 600 |
| Other Materials Sciences | 33 |
| Materials Chemistry | 25 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 21,239 |
| Physics | 13,674 |
| Geological & Earth Sciences | 7,821 |
| General Physical Sciences | 3,823 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 1,375 |
Image Credit: By Per Henning under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
