Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Orlando, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Orlando, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$104K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Orlando
Cost of Living
96
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Orlando, FL Overview
Orlando, Florida (pop. 307,573) has 16 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $804/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Orlando is approximately $48,000, growing to $103,680 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$6,368/yr
Private Tuition
$44,990/yr
Room & Board
$9,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,728/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
75%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Orlando (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Orlando's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Orlando adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Orlando
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Orlando tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,368 | Private avg: $44,990
Orlando avg aid: $11,728/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,404
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,400
vs HS diploma in Orlando
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Orlando
$799,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($864,000) minus total education cost ($64,404)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Orlando
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Orlando for Materials Science & Engineering
University of Central Florida
public
$6,368/yr
$25,472 total
Rollins College
private
$44,990/yr
$179,960 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Valencia College
$3,110/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Orlando
Orlando offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Orlando 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
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 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 Orlando
Petroleum Engineering
$48K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$79K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$48K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$77K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$77K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$75K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$48K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Orlando — 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 Orlando.