Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Ann Arbor, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Ann Arbor, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.1 yrs
in Ann Arbor
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Ann Arbor, MI Overview
Ann Arbor, Michigan (pop. 123,851) has 14 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,014/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Ann Arbor is approximately $42,500, growing to $91,800 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,736/yr
Private Tuition
$33,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,067/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,913/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
65%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Ann Arbor (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Ann Arbor's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Ann Arbor adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Ann Arbor
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Ann Arbor tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,736 | Private avg: $33,100
Ann Arbor avg aid: $16,913/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,212
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Ann Arbor
ROI Payback Period
8.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Ann Arbor
$661,788
Lifetime earnings premium ($765,000) minus total education cost ($103,212)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Ann Arbor
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Ann Arbor for Materials Science & Engineering
University of Michigan
public
$16,736/yr
$66,944 total
Concordia University Ann Arbor
private
$33,100/yr
$132,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Washtenaw Community College
$3,600/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Ann Arbor Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Warren, MI
$44K starting · COL 88.5
6 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Ann Arbor
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Ann Arbor — 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 Materials Science & Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Ann Arbor.