Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Fort Lauderdale, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Fort Lauderdale, FL. 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
6.5 yrs
in Fort Lauderdale
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Fort Lauderdale, FL Overview
While Fort Lauderdale has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Materials Science & Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,777/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Fort Lauderdale is approximately $46,000, growing to $99,360 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,805/yr
Private Tuition
$33,650/yr
Room & Board
$11,777/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,111/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
47%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Fort Lauderdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Lauderdale'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.Fort Lauderdale adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Fort Lauderdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Fort Lauderdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,805 | Private avg: $33,650
Fort Lauderdale avg aid: $7,111/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,328
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,800
vs HS diploma in Fort Lauderdale
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Lauderdale
$737,672
Lifetime earnings premium ($828,000) minus total education cost ($90,328)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Fort Lauderdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Lauderdale for Materials Science & Engineering
Nova Southeastern University
private
$33,650/yr
$134,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Broward College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Lauderdale Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Fort Lauderdale
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 Fort Lauderdale — 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 Fort Lauderdale.