Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Killeen, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Killeen, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$92K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Killeen
Cost of Living
85.2
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Killeen, TX Overview
Killeen, Texas (pop. 153,095) has 6 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 85.2 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Killeen is approximately $42,600, growing to $92,016 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,516/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,816/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
58%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Killeen (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Killeen's cost of living index of 85.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Killeen adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Killeen
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Killeen tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Killeen avg aid: $10,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,780
vs HS diploma in Killeen
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Killeen
$669,136
Lifetime earnings premium ($766,800) minus total education cost ($97,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Killeen
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Killeen for Materials Science & Engineering
Killeen State University
public
$10,256/yr
$41,024 total
University of Killeen
public
$10,971/yr
$43,884 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Killeen Community College
$5,619/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Killeen
Killeen offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Killeen Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$58K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$60K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$52K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$54K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$51K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$47K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$47K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$41K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Killeen
Petroleum Engineering
$43K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$43K 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
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Killeen — 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 Killeen.