Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Miami, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Miami, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$106K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.7 yrs
in Miami
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Miami, FL Overview
Miami, Florida (pop. 442,241) has 12 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 98 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,191/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Miami is approximately $49,000, growing to $105,840 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$6,556/yr
Private Tuition
$44,890/yr
Room & Board
$10,667/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,348/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
45%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Miami (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Miami's cost of living index of 98 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Miami adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Miami
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Miami tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,556 | Private avg: $44,890
Miami avg aid: $10,348/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$68,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,700
vs HS diploma in Miami
ROI Payback Period
4.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Miami
$813,108
Lifetime earnings premium ($882,000) minus total education cost ($68,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Miami
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Miami for Materials Science & Engineering
University of Miami
private
$56,580/yr
$226,320 total
Florida International University
public
$6,556/yr
$26,224 total
Barry University
private
$33,200/yr
$132,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Miami Dade College
$3,588/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Miami
Miami offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Miami Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$45K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Miami
Petroleum Engineering
$49K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$80K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$49K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$78K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$78K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$49K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Miami — 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 Miami.