Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $46,000, growing to $99,360 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$757,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($828,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Materials Science & Engineering
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$50K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$40K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$42K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$49K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$48K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$44K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Des Moines
Petroleum Engineering
$46K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$46K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$74K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Des Moines — 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 Des Moines.