Compare 6 Materials Engineering. programs in the West. Average earnings: $75,295.
With top graduates earning $98,908, Materials Engineering stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $24K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Materials Engineering program leads with graduates earning $98,908, well above the $75,295 average across all 6 programs. University of Washington-Seattle Campus follows at $86,838, demonstrating that strong regional programs compete effectively regardless of overall institutional rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates borrow $14,615 and face just a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. Cal Poly SLO achieves similar affordability at 3.3% burden, proving that top programs can also be financially accessible.
Highest program earnings: $98,908
Strong outcomes ($84,175) with 90% acceptance
3.1% 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 | $86,838 | 52 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #3 | $84,175 | 31 | $19,500 | Excellent | $23,519 | Good | |
| #4 | $74,110 | 38 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #5 | $58,177 | 30 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $49,560 | 31 | $19,500 | Good | $29,968 | High |
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 →
