Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$111K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $51,500, growing to $111,240 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,450
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$837,676
Lifetime earnings premium ($927,000) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Materials Science & Engineering
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Athens
Petroleum Engineering
$52K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$52K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$82K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$82K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Athens — 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 Athens.