Compare 34 Materials Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $77,795. Top programs: $98,908+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Materials Engineering tells a different story. Across 34 programs, earnings range from $76,224 to $98,908—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Materials Engineering program leads with graduates earning $98,908, well above the $77,795 average. The Ivies hold their own—University of Pennsylvania ($96,476) and Cornell ($90,216)—but Cal Poly's dominance proves that program excellence isn't confined to traditional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Cornell graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 2.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. When parent loans are included, University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with a 9.2% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $98,908
Strong outcomes ($87,537) with 84% acceptance
2.8% payment burden | Excellent
9.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $98,908 | 38 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Good | |
| #2 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $96,476 | 19 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Good |
| #3 | Cornell UniversityPrivate | $90,216 | 21 | $14,000 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good |
| #4 | $90,182 | 36 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $89,925 | 28 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $87,537 | 30 | $23,250 | Excellent | $37,401 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $86,838 | 52 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #8 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $86,535 | 24 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #9 | $84,790 | 47 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Good | |
| #10 | $84,175 | 31 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #11 | $83,919 | 24 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Good | |
| #12 | $83,088 | 87 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #13 | $82,939 | 50 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $80,921 | 30 | $24,990 | Excellent | $29,300 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $80,695 | 50 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Good | |
| #16 | $80,173 | 63 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #17 | $79,484 | 72 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Good | |
| #18 | $79,346 | 99 | $21,672 | Excellent | $32,216 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $77,181 | 26 | $23,750 | Excellent | $52,241 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $76,224 | 17 | $22,300 | Excellent | $20,498 | Good | |
| #21 | $76,010 | 33 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Manageable | |
| #22 | Clemson UniversityPublic | $75,510 | 38 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,463 | Manageable |
| #23 | Winona State UniversityPublic | $74,935 | 18 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,316 | Good |
| #24 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $74,200 | 26 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Challenging |
| #25 | $74,110 | 38 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
