NEW 2026 Best Colleges Rankings!

NEW 2026 Hidden Gem Colleges!

Search for a different college major

Materials Science

Select Type of Degree:

Select State:


#1 #1 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA Annually, the University of California-Santa Barbara awards around 667 degrees to students studying Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Sociology, Communication, General, and Experimental Psychology....view more Acceptance Rate 33% Annual Degrees Awarded 34 SAT Score 1,260–1,480 Median Starting Salary $48,466
#2 #2 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA At Carnegie Mellon University, the three most popular college majors students study are Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 12% Annual Degrees Awarded 23 SAT Score 1,500–1,570 Median Starting Salary $54,438
#3 #3 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA At the University of California-Berkeley, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Computer Science, Computer and Information Sciences, Other, and Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 29 SAT Score 1,330–1,540 Median Starting Salary $46,089
#4 #4 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of California-Riverside Riverside, CA Every year, the University of California-Riverside grants about 812 degrees to students majoring in Business Administration and Management, General, which is the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 76% Annual Degrees Awarded 12 SAT Score 1,090–1,310 Median Starting Salary $49,602
#5 #5 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL At The University of Alabama, the most popular majors students study are Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 11 SAT Score 1,180–1,400 Median Starting Salary $54,898
#6 #6 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Delaware Newark, DE Each year, the University of Delaware awards about 277 degrees to those majoring in Finance, General, the school’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Research and Experimental Psychology, Other, Speech Communication and Rhetoric, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 71% Annual Degrees Awarded 9 SAT Score 1,210–1,380 Median Starting Salary $61,248
#7 #7 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA At the University of Southern California, the most popular majors students study are Management Science, Computer Science, and Human Biology. In fact, the University of Southern California awards 1346 degrees annually to Management Science majors....view more Acceptance Rate 10% Annual Degrees Awarded 8 SAT Score 1,450–1,550 Median Starting Salary $48,469
#8 #8 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Montana Technological University Butte, MT At Montana Technological University, the three most popular college majors students study are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Mechanical Engineering, Management Information Systems and Services, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 91% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,020–1,220 Median Starting Salary $47,798
#9 #9 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA Annually, Norfolk State University grants about 115 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Business/Commerce, General, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, and Social Work....view more Acceptance Rate 88% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 830–1,040 Median Starting Salary $52,322
#10 #10 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Duke University Durham, NC Two schools at Duke University are devoted to undergraduates: Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and Pratt School of Engineering. Combined they offer fifty majors, fifty-two minors, and the ability for students to design their own interdisciplinary majors....view more Acceptance Rate 6% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,500–1,560 Median Starting Salary $50,428
#11 #11 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN At Vanderbilt University, the most popular majors students study are Social Sciences, General, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, and Other. In fact, Vanderbilt University awards 304 degrees annually to graduating Social Sciences, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 6% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,500–1,560 Median Starting Salary $49,022
#12 #12 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Behavioral Sciences, Business Administration and Management, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 15% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,350–1,520 Median Starting Salary $52,319
#13 #13 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Columbia University is separated into 20 different schools which include the College, global research outposts, Juilliard School, Barnard College, and more. Each new student will meet with an adviser to go over their plan and schedule for the upcoming year....view more Acceptance Rate 4% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,510–1,570 Median Starting Salary $44,723
#14 #14 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN Notre Dame’s undergraduate program offers sixty-seven degrees within four colleges (Arts and Letters, Science, Engineering, and Business) and the Architectural School....view more Acceptance Rate 11% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,460–1,560 Median Starting Salary $58,011
#15 #15 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Montana State University Bozeman, MT At Montana State University, the most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business/Commerce, General, Psychology, and General. In fact, Montana State University grants 374 degrees annually to Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse majors....view more Acceptance Rate 82% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,080–1,290 Median Starting Salary $53,483
#16 #16 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Rochester Rochester, NY At the University of Rochester, the three most popular college majors students study are Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 40% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,410–1,530 Median Starting Salary $51,712
#17 #17 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Every year, Michigan State University awards around 580 degrees to those majoring in Biology/Biological Sciences, General, the school’s most popular major. Other frequently pursued majors include Psychology, General, Advertising, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 85% Annual Degrees Awarded 4 SAT Score 1,190–1,370 Median Starting Salary $55,827
#18 #18 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Georgia Athens, GA At the University of Georgia, the most popular majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Finance, and General. In fact, the University of Georgia awards 578 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 38% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,300–1,490 Median Starting Salary $53,664
#19 #19 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Oregon State University Corvallis, OR At Oregon State University, the three most popular college majors students study are Computer Science, Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, and General. In fact, Oregon State University grants 977 degrees per year to graduating Computer Science students....view more Acceptance Rate 77% Annual Degrees Awarded 5 SAT Score 1,160–1,400 Median Starting Salary $51,371
#20 #20 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Florida State University Tallahassee, FL At Florida State University, the three most popular college majors students study are Psychology, General, Finance, General, Marketing/Marketing Management, and General. In fact, Florida State University grants 760 degrees annually to Psychology, General majors....view more Acceptance Rate 24% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,300–1,420 Median Starting Salary $50,709
#21 #21 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Vermont Burlington, VT Annually, the University of Vermont awards about 223 degrees to those studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other often-pursued majors include Psychology, General, Environmental Studies, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse....view more Acceptance Rate 65% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,320–1,440 Median Starting Salary $58,898
#22 #22 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA At the University of California-Irvine, the three most popular college majors students study are Biology/Biological Sciences, General, Computer Science, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Other....view more Acceptance Rate 29% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,240–1,440 Median Starting Salary $48,595
#23 #23 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY Each year, the University at Buffalo awards around 642 degrees to those studying Business Administration and Management, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Psychology, General, Computer Science, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric....view more Acceptance Rate 74% Annual Degrees Awarded 3 SAT Score 1,220–1,390 Median Starting Salary $50,903
#24 #24 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Denver Denver, CO Annually, the University of Denver awards about 150 degrees to students studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include International Relations and Affairs, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Finance, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,270–1,430 Median Starting Salary $55,789
#25 #25 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Rowan University Glassboro, NJ At Rowan University, the most popular majors students pursue are Psychology, General, Business Administration and Management, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General. In fact, Rowan University grants 533 degrees annually to graduating Psychology, General students....view more Acceptance Rate 78% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,120–1,320 Median Starting Salary $56,180
#26 #26 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Every year, the University of Arizona awards around 486 degrees to students majoring in Psychology, General, which is the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 86% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,110–1,370 Median Starting Salary $51,739
#27 #27 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO Annually, Colorado State University-Fort Collins grants about 735 degrees to students studying Business Administration and Management, General, the school’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 89% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 1,100–1,310 Median Starting Salary $55,220
#28 #28 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Every year, the University of Alabama in Huntsville awards about 154 degrees to students majoring in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, the institution’s most popular major....view more Acceptance Rate 69% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,190–1,410 Median Starting Salary $49,317
#29 #29 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Each year, Northern Arizona University awards about 452 degrees to those studying Psychology, General, the institution’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, and Elementary Education and Teaching....view more Acceptance Rate 90% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 990–1,190 Median Starting Salary $53,676
#30 #30 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, NM At the University of New Mexico-Main Campus, the most popular majors students pursue are Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 95% Annual Degrees Awarded 2 SAT Score 910–1,180 Median Starting Salary $50,730
#31 #31 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI At Central Michigan University, the three most popular college majors students pursue are Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Psychology, General, and Community Organization and Advocacy....view more Acceptance Rate 90% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 980–1,210 Median Starting Salary $55,759
#32 #32 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S. Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Each year, Youngstown State University grants about 135 degrees to students majoring in General Studies, which is the school’s most popular major. Other popular majors include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Social Work, Biology/Biological Sciences, and General....view more Acceptance Rate 84% Annual Degrees Awarded 1 SAT Score 1,010–1,220 Median Starting Salary $53,351
*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About 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.

Those who are interested in Materials Science can study up to a Post masters certificate. Currently, 613 students earn a some level of degree in Materials Science around the US each year. More students earn a degree in Materials Science in California than any other state. The average starting salary for a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Materials Science is $65,800.

Popularity of Materials Science Degrees in the U.S.

This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Materials Science degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.

Less Popular

More Popular

Careers

The highest paying career for Materials Science majors is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary. But, something else to consider is how many job openings there currently is. A job that is in high need that a degree in Materials Science can prepare you for is Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Materials Science majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Materials Science majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students

188

Female Students

65 (34%)

Male Students

123 (65%)

Resources for:

Articles

Resources for:

Materials Science

#1 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

33%

34

1,260–1,480

$48,466

#2 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

12%

23

1,500–1,570

$54,438

#3 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

11%

29

1,330–1,540

$46,089

#4 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

76%

12

1,090–1,310

$49,602

#5 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

77%

11

1,180–1,400

$54,898

#6 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

71%

9

1,210–1,380

$61,248

#7 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

10%

8

1,450–1,550

$48,469

#8 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

91%

2

1,020–1,220

$47,798

#9 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

88%

2

830–1,040

$52,322

#10 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

6%

5

1,500–1,560

$50,428

#11 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

6%

4

1,500–1,560

$49,022

#12 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

15%

5

1,350–1,520

$52,319

#13 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

4%

2

1,510–1,570

$44,723

#14 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

11%

2

1,460–1,560

$58,011

#15 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

82%

5

1,080–1,290

$53,483

#16 Best College for Materials Science in the U.S.

40%

2

1,410–1,530