Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Fontana, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Fontana, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$114K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Fontana
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Fontana, CA Overview
Fontana, California (pop. 214,547) has 18 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,423/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Fontana is approximately $53,000, growing to $114,480 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
18
Public Tuition
$11,333/yr
Private Tuition
$38,840/yr
Room & Board
$18,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,336/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Fontana (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fontana's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Fontana adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Fontana
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Fontana tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,333 | Private avg: $38,840
Fontana avg aid: $11,336/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$121,108
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,900
vs HS diploma in Fontana
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fontana
$832,892
Lifetime earnings premium ($954,000) minus total education cost ($121,108)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Fontana
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fontana for Materials Science & Engineering
California Baptist University Fontana
private
$38,840/yr
$155,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chaffey College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Fontana
Fontana offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fontana Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Fontana
Petroleum Engineering
$53K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$87K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$53K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$85K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$85K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$53K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Fontana — 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 Fontana.