Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Renton, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Renton, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$132K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Renton
Cost of Living
122.5
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Renton, WA Overview
While Renton has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Materials Science & Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,923/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Renton is approximately $61,250, growing to $132,300 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$11,800/yr
Private Tuition
$40,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,923/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,424/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
64%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Renton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Renton's cost of living index of 122.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Renton adjustment factor: 1.23x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Renton
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Renton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000
Renton avg aid: $15,424/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,375
vs HS diploma in Renton
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Renton
$991,608
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,102,500) minus total education cost ($110,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Renton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Renton for Materials Science & Engineering
Renton State University
public
$11,303/yr
$45,212 total
University of Renton
public
$13,258/yr
$53,032 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Renton Community College
$5,805/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Renton
Renton offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Renton Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Washington Cities
Seattle, WA
$60K starting · COL 120
16 colleges
Spokane, WA
$61K starting · COL 121
20 colleges
Tacoma, WA
$57K starting · COL 113
25 colleges
Vancouver, WA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Bellevue, WA
$89K starting · COL 178.5
6 colleges
Kent, WA
$58K starting · COL 115.8
6 colleges
Everett, WA
$59K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$62K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Renton
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$100K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$98K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Renton — 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 Renton.