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Ceramic Engineering Degree in Cambridge, MA — Salary & ROI 2026

Ceramic Engineering degree analysis for Cambridge, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$100K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$144K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

2.3 yrs

in Cambridge

Cost of Living

133

index (100 = avg)

Ceramic Engineering in Cambridge, MA Overview

Cambridge, Massachusetts (pop. 118,403) has 6 colleges offering Ceramic Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 133 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,322/month. Ceramic Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Ceramics and Materials Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Cambridge is approximately $99,750.

Category

Engineering

Local Colleges

6

Public Tuition

$13,207/yr

Private Tuition

$57,624/yr

Room & Board

$17,447/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,677/yr

Unemployment

3.7%

Graduation Rate

75%

Ceramic Engineering Salary in Cambridge (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Cambridge's cost of living index of 133 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$99,750(+$24,750 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$143,640(+$35,640 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$186,200(+$46,200 vs national)

Note: National average Ceramic Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Cambridge adjustment factor: 1.33x based on the local cost of living index.

Ceramic Engineering ROI Calculator for Cambridge

Estimate your return on investment for a Ceramic Engineering degree using local Cambridge tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $13,207 | Private avg: $57,624

Cambridge avg aid: $14,677/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$122,616

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$53,200

vs HS diploma in Cambridge

ROI Payback Period

2.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Cambridge

$1,207,384

Lifetime earnings premium ($1,330,000) minus total education cost ($122,616)

Student Loan Payoff for Ceramic Engineering in Cambridge

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$122,616
Monthly Payment$1,392
Total Interest$44,458
% of Monthly Income17%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$122,616
Monthly Payment$2,399
Total Interest$21,331
Interest Savings$23,126

Colleges in Cambridge for Ceramic Engineering

Harvard University

private

$57,261/yr

$229,044 total

MIT

private

$57,986/yr

$231,944 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Bunker Hill Community College

$5,760/yr

Top Employers for Ceramic Engineering in Cambridge

Cambridge offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Ceramic Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:

CorningSaint-Gobain3MCoorsTek

Key Cambridge Hiring Sectors for Engineering

Engineering firms

Manufacturing

Defense contractors

Energy companies

Construction firms

Common Ceramic Engineering Job Titles

Ceramics EngineerMaterials ScientistProcess Engineer

Ceramic Engineering Degree in Cambridge — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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Compare Ceramic Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Cambridge.

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