Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Macon, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Macon, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$109K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Macon
Cost of Living
101
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Macon, GA Overview
Macon, Georgia (pop. 157,346) has 13 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 101 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,007/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Macon is approximately $50,500, growing to $109,080 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,056/yr
Private Tuition
$40,560/yr
Room & Board
$11,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,538/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
48%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Macon (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Macon's cost of living index of 101 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Macon adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Macon
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Macon tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,056 | Private avg: $40,560
Macon avg aid: $10,538/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$91,156
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,150
vs HS diploma in Macon
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Macon
$817,844
Lifetime earnings premium ($909,000) minus total education cost ($91,156)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Macon
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Macon for Materials Science & Engineering
Mercer University
private
$40,560/yr
$162,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central Georgia Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Macon
Macon offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Macon Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Macon
Petroleum Engineering
$51K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$83K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$51K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$81K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$81K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$79K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$51K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Macon — 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 Macon.