Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Las Cruces, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Las Cruces, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$62K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$133K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Las Cruces
Cost of Living
123
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Las Cruces, NM Overview
Las Cruces, New Mexico (pop. 111,385) has 12 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 123 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,443/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Las Cruces is approximately $61,500, growing to $132,840 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,554/yr
Private Tuition
$45,711/yr
Room & Board
$19,302/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,870/yr
Unemployment
6.7%
Graduation Rate
60%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Las Cruces (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Las Cruces's cost of living index of 123 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Las Cruces adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Las Cruces
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Las Cruces tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,554 | Private avg: $45,711
Las Cruces avg aid: $11,870/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$107,424
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,450
vs HS diploma in Las Cruces
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Las Cruces
$999,576
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,107,000) minus total education cost ($107,424)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Las Cruces
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Las Cruces for Materials Science & Engineering
New Mexico State University
public
$7,554/yr
$30,216 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dona Ana Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Las Cruces
Las Cruces offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Las Cruces Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Las Cruces
Petroleum Engineering
$62K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$101K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$62K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$62K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Las Cruces — 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 Las Cruces.