Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Berkeley, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Berkeley, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Reviewed May 21, 2026. DegreeCalc calculators are educational planning tools; verify final tuition, aid, transcript, loan, and employment decisions with official school, federal, servicer, or employer records.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$110K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.2 yrs
in Berkeley
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley, CA Overview
Berkeley, California (pop. 124,321) has 7 local education-market benchmark points for Materials Science & Engineering planning. The local cost of living index of 102 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $961/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Berkeley is approximately $51,000, growing to $110,160 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Benchmarks
7
Public Tuition
$14,312/yr
Private Tuition
$41,049/yr
Room & Board
$17,106/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,462/yr
Unemployment (est.)
3.9%
Graduation Rate (est.)
66%
How to Study Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley: Campus, Online, or Transfer
Students searching for a Materials Science & Engineering degree in Berkeley, CA usually need a practical path, not just a salary estimate. Use the three options below to compare local cost, credential quality, and flexibility before applying.
Nearby Campus Path
Start with NCES College Navigator and each school's catalog. Confirm the program name, degree level, tuition, graduation rate, internship support, and whether the Materials Science & Engineering major is actually offered at that campus.
Online Degree Path
Materials Science & Engineering is not always a clean fully-online fit. Look for hybrid programs and ask whether required labs, clinics, studios, or field placements can be completed near Berkeley.
Transfer-Cost Path
Community college tuition near Berkeley averages $1,540/year in this model. A 2+2 transfer plan can reduce debt if the receiving university accepts credits into the Materials Science & Engineering major.
We intentionally avoid listing unverified local school names on this page. Always verify programs with official school catalogs, NCES/IPEDS, and financial aid offices before applying.
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Berkeley (COL-Adjusted)
Modeled salaries: national benchmarks for the major scaled by an estimated Berkeley cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100). These are not measured local wages.
Note: National Materials Science & Engineering salary benchmarks used by this model: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Berkeley adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Berkeley
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using DegreeCalc's modeled Berkeley tuition and cost of living estimates.
Public est.: $14,312 | Private est.: $41,049
Berkeley est. aid: $11,462/yr
Federal undergrad (2026-27): 6.52% | Private rates vary by credit
Total Education Cost
$125,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,300
vs HS diploma in Berkeley
ROI Payback Period
8.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Berkeley
$792,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($918,000) minus total education cost ($125,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Berkeley Education Cost Inputs for Materials Science & Engineering
This local ROI model uses aggregate tuition, aid, housing, and cost-of-living inputs for Berkeley, not a ranked list of individual schools. Confirm any specific program with NCES College Navigator or the school before applying.
Local benchmarks
7
Public tuition
$14,312/yr
Private tuition
$41,049/yr
Community college
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley
Typical hiring sectors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; these are general sector categories, not a verified list of Berkeley employers. Common employer types nationally include:
Typical Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Other Engineering Majors in Berkeley
Petroleum Engineering
$51K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$84K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$51K 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
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we estimate Materials Science & Engineering degree outcomes in Berkeley, CA: This page is a planning model. It combines DegreeCalc's national salary benchmarks for the major with internal city-level estimates for tuition, room and board, aid, unemployment, graduation rate, and cost of living. The figures are not official statistics for Berkeley and are not pulled directly from federal datasets for this city.
- Tuition defaults to the modeled Berkeley public tuition estimate (not program-specific Materials Science & Engineering tuition). Verify actual program prices in IPEDS / College Navigator.
- Salary estimates multiply the national benchmark for Materials Science & Engineering by the estimated Berkeley cost of living index divided by 100. This is a simple scaling assumption, not BLS local wage data.
- Payback period = (tuition + room and board − aid over the years of study) ÷ (adjusted starting salary − a $35,000 high school benchmark scaled by the same index). Lifetime return = the major's lifetime earnings premium benchmark scaled by the index, minus that net cost. Loan interest is shown separately and is not subtracted.
- Job market outlook is not projected on this page; see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for official 10-year projections.
- Default rates are not modeled here; College Scorecard reports repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Materials Science & Engineering career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Materials Science & Engineering grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Tobias Merrick · Last updated 2026 · Model estimates; verify with the official sources above
Financial Aid Resources for Berkeley Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), California students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The Department of Education has begun showing lower-earnings warnings for some programs on the FAFSA, and a federal earnings accountability test for Direct Loan eligibility takes effect July 1, 2027 — check your target program's outcomes:
Pell Grant maximum is set each award year. Undergraduate Direct Loans at 6.52% (first disbursed July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — California programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "california higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
FAFSA tip: Check any lower-earnings warning and the program's College Scorecard earnings data before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Berkeley — FAQ
What is the starting salary for Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $51,000 per year for Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley, CA. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 102, so the local estimate is 2% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Materials Science & Engineering degree worth it in Berkeley?
A Materials Science & Engineering degree in Berkeley has an estimated ROI payback period of 8.2 years, with a projected lifetime return of $792,328 after subtracting education costs. With 7 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $14,312/year, Berkeley offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 3.9% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 2.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Berkeley at about $14,312 per year and private university tuition at about $41,049/year. Including estimated room and board ($17,106/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $125,672 at a public school to $232,620 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $11,462/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Materials Science & Engineering online while living in Berkeley?
Materials Science & Engineering is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Berkeley, CA should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Materials Science & Engineering graduates get in Berkeley?
Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley can pursue careers as Materials Engineer, R&D Engineer, Metallurgist. Skills commonly associated with this field include Metallurgy, Polymer Science, Nanomaterials, Characterization Techniques. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; verify which of these are active in Berkeley with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Intel, Apple, 3M.
How long to pay off student loans for Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley would pay $1,427/month on an estimated $125,672 in loans, with $45,566 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,459/month but save $23,703 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $51,000, monthly payments would represent 34% of gross monthly income.
Data note: Salary, tuition, aid, and cost-of-living figures on this page are DegreeCalc planning estimates, not official values. For official data, check the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS Regional Data, and NCES/IPEDS.
Explore More
Compare Materials Science & Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Berkeley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley?
DegreeCalc estimates a starting salary of about $51,000 per year for Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley, CA. This is not a measured local wage: the model takes its national starting-salary benchmark for the major ($50,000) and scales it by an estimated local cost of living index of 102, so the local estimate is 2% higher than the national benchmark by construction. Check BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for actual local wages.
Is a Materials Science & Engineering degree worth it in Berkeley?
A Materials Science & Engineering degree in Berkeley has an estimated ROI payback period of 8.2 years, with a projected lifetime return of $792,328 after subtracting education costs. With 7 local cost benchmark points and estimated public tuition of $14,312/year, Berkeley offers affordable planning assumptions for this degree. The modeled local unemployment rate of 3.9% and the major's national unemployment benchmark of 2.5% should also factor into your decision.
How much does it cost to study Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley?
DegreeCalc's planning model estimates public university tuition in Berkeley at about $14,312 per year and private university tuition at about $41,049/year. Including estimated room and board ($17,106/year), modeled 4-year costs range from $125,672 at a public school to $232,620 at a private institution, with estimated average aid of $11,462/year. These are planning estimates; confirm real prices with each school's net price calculator.
Can I study Materials Science & Engineering online while living in Berkeley?
Materials Science & Engineering is less commonly offered as a fully online program, so students in Berkeley, CA should verify nearby campus, hybrid, and transfer options before planning around remote coursework. Always confirm program availability directly with the school.
What jobs can Materials Science & Engineering graduates get in Berkeley?
Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley can pursue careers as Materials Engineer, R&D Engineer, Metallurgist. Skills commonly associated with this field include Metallurgy, Polymer Science, Nanomaterials, Characterization Techniques. Typical hiring sectors for this field include Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors; verify which of these are active in Berkeley with local job postings. Common employer types nationally include Intel, Apple, 3M.
How long to pay off student loans for Materials Science & Engineering in Berkeley?
With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Materials Science & Engineering graduates in Berkeley would pay $1,427/month on an estimated $125,672 in loans, with $45,566 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,459/month but save $23,703 in interest. With the model's COL-adjusted starting salary estimate of $51,000, monthly payments would represent 34% of gross monthly income.