Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Sandy Springs, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Sandy Springs, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$122K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Sandy Springs
Cost of Living
112.5
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Sandy Springs, GA Overview
While Sandy Springs has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Materials Science & Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,593/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 Sandy Springs is approximately $56,250, growing to $121,500 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,800/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,593/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,262/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
53%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Sandy Springs (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sandy Springs's cost of living index of 112.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Sandy Springs adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Sandy Springs
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Sandy Springs tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $32,000
Sandy Springs avg aid: $12,262/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$101,572
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,875
vs HS diploma in Sandy Springs
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sandy Springs
$910,928
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,012,500) minus total education cost ($101,572)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Sandy Springs
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sandy Springs for Materials Science & Engineering
Sandy Springs State University
public
$10,774/yr
$43,096 total
University of Sandy Springs
public
$8,608/yr
$34,432 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sandy Springs Community College
$5,452/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sandy Springs Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$42K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$42K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$51K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$48K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Athens, GA
$52K starting · COL 103
11 colleges
Roswell, GA
$54K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$56K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Sandy Springs
Petroleum Engineering
$56K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$56K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$90K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$90K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$88K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Sandy Springs — 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 Sandy Springs.