Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Louisville, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Louisville, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$97K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Louisville
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Louisville, KY Overview
Louisville, Kentucky (pop. 633,045) has 17 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,349/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Louisville is approximately $45,000, growing to $97,200 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
17
Public Tuition
$12,324/yr
Private Tuition
$37,190/yr
Room & Board
$12,044/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,150/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
58%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Louisville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Louisville's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Louisville adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Louisville
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Louisville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,324 | Private avg: $37,190
Louisville avg aid: $16,150/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,472
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,500
vs HS diploma in Louisville
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Louisville
$712,528
Lifetime earnings premium ($810,000) minus total education cost ($97,472)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Louisville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Louisville for Materials Science & Engineering
University of Louisville
public
$12,324/yr
$49,296 total
Bellarmine University
private
$45,790/yr
$183,160 total
Spalding University
private
$28,590/yr
$114,360 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Louisville
Louisville offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Louisville Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Louisville
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$74K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$72K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$72K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$70K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Louisville — 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 Louisville.