Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Santa Fe, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Santa Fe, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$127K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Santa Fe
Cost of Living
118
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Santa Fe, NM Overview
Santa Fe, New Mexico (pop. 87,505) has 7 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 118 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,028/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Santa Fe is approximately $59,000, growing to $127,440 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$13,566/yr
Private Tuition
$38,206/yr
Room & Board
$15,986/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,970/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
65%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Santa Fe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Fe's cost of living index of 118 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Santa Fe adjustment factor: 1.18x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Santa Fe
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Santa Fe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,566 | Private avg: $38,206
Santa Fe avg aid: $11,970/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$118,208
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,700
vs HS diploma in Santa Fe
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Fe
$943,792
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,062,000) minus total education cost ($118,208)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Santa Fe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Fe for Materials Science & Engineering
St. John's College
private
$38,206/yr
$152,824 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Fe Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Santa Fe
Santa Fe offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Fe Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other Engineering Majors in Santa Fe
Petroleum Engineering
$59K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$92K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Santa Fe — 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 Santa Fe.