Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Palmdale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Palmdale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$55K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$119K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Palmdale
Cost of Living
110.5
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Palmdale, CA Overview
Palmdale, California (pop. 169,450) has 7 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 110.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,185/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Palmdale is approximately $55,250, growing to $119,340 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,535/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,974/yr
Unemployment
5%
Graduation Rate
66%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Palmdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Palmdale's cost of living index of 110.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Palmdale adjustment factor: 1.10x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Palmdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Palmdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Palmdale avg aid: $15,974/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$112,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,575
vs HS diploma in Palmdale
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Palmdale
$882,360
Lifetime earnings premium ($994,500) minus total education cost ($112,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Palmdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Palmdale for Materials Science & Engineering
Palmdale State University
public
$15,273/yr
$61,092 total
University of Palmdale
public
$13,606/yr
$54,424 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Palmdale Community College
$5,290/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Palmdale
Palmdale offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Palmdale Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Palmdale
Petroleum Engineering
$55K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$91K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$55K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$86K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$55K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Palmdale — 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 Palmdale.