Materials Science & Engineering Degree in High Point, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for High Point, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$42K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$91K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in High Point
Cost of Living
84.5
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in High Point, NC Overview
While High Point has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Materials Science & Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,724/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 High Point is approximately $42,250, growing to $91,260 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,200/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,724/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,013/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
60%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in High Point (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for High Point's cost of living index of 84.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.High Point adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for High Point
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local High Point tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,200 | Private avg: $34,000
High Point avg aid: $8,013/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,675
vs HS diploma in High Point
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in High Point
$672,804
Lifetime earnings premium ($760,500) minus total education cost ($87,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in High Point
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in High Point for Materials Science & Engineering
High Point State University
public
$9,967/yr
$39,868 total
University of High Point
public
$9,547/yr
$38,188 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
High Point Community College
$5,591/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in High Point
High Point offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key High Point Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$45K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$42K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$46K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$55K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$53K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$45K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$48K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in High Point
Petroleum Engineering
$42K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$42K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$68K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$68K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$66K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$42K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in High Point — 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 High Point.