Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Mobile, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Mobile, AL. 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
6.7 yrs
in Mobile
Cost of Living
98
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Mobile, AL Overview
Mobile, Alabama (pop. 187,041) 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 $1,083/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Mobile is approximately $49,000, growing to $105,840 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,100/yr
Private Tuition
$41,360/yr
Room & Board
$13,457/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,004/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
73%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Mobile (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Mobile'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.Mobile adjustment factor: 0.98x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Mobile
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Mobile tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,100 | Private avg: $41,360
Mobile avg aid: $12,004/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$98,228
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,700
vs HS diploma in Mobile
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Mobile
$783,772
Lifetime earnings premium ($882,000) minus total education cost ($98,228)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Mobile
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Mobile for Materials Science & Engineering
University of South Alabama
public
$11,100/yr
$44,400 total
Spring Hill College
private
$41,360/yr
$165,440 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bishop State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Mobile
Mobile offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Mobile Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Mobile
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 Mobile — 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 Mobile.