Ceramic Engineering Degree in Torrance, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Ceramic Engineering degree analysis for Torrance, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$122K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$175K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
1.9 yrs
in Torrance
Cost of Living
162.3
index (100 = avg)
Ceramic Engineering in Torrance, CA Overview
Torrance, California (pop. 147,067) has 6 colleges offering Ceramic Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 162.3 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,760/month. Ceramic Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Ceramics and Materials Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Torrance is approximately $121,725.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$17,017/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,091/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
68%
Ceramic Engineering Salary in Torrance (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Torrance's cost of living index of 162.3 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Ceramic Engineering salary: $75,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $140,000 senior level.Torrance adjustment factor: 1.62x based on the local cost of living index.
Ceramic Engineering ROI Calculator for Torrance
Estimate your return on investment for a Ceramic Engineering degree using local Torrance tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Torrance avg aid: $15,091/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,068
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$64,920
vs HS diploma in Torrance
ROI Payback Period
1.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Torrance
$1,496,932
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,623,000) minus total education cost ($126,068)
Student Loan Payoff for Ceramic Engineering in Torrance
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Torrance for Ceramic Engineering
Torrance State University
public
$14,860/yr
$59,440 total
University of Torrance
public
$15,109/yr
$60,436 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Torrance Community College
$6,853/yr
Top Employers for Ceramic Engineering in Torrance
Torrance offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Ceramic Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Torrance Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Ceramic Engineering Job Titles
Ceramic Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$106K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$105K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$97K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$86K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$89K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$84K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$87K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$99K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Torrance
Petroleum Engineering
$81K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$81K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$133K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$81K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$130K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$130K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$127K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$81K starting · 3 yr ROI
Ceramic Engineering Degree in Torrance — 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.
Explore More
Compare Ceramic Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Torrance.