Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Spokane, WA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Spokane, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$131K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Spokane
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Spokane, WA Overview
Spokane, Washington (pop. 228,989) has 20 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 121 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,678/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Spokane is approximately $60,500, growing to $130,680 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
20
Public Tuition
$13,119/yr
Private Tuition
$49,320/yr
Room & Board
$13,236/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,489/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
61%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Spokane (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Spokane's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Spokane adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Spokane
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Spokane tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,119 | Private avg: $49,320
Spokane avg aid: $8,489/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,420
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Spokane
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Spokane
$983,580
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,089,000) minus total education cost ($105,420)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Spokane
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Spokane for Materials Science & Engineering
Gonzaga University
private
$50,380/yr
$201,520 total
Whitworth University
private
$48,260/yr
$193,040 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Spokane Falls Community College
$4,479/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Spokane
Spokane offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Spokane 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
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
Renton, WA
$61K starting · COL 122.5
5 colleges
Spokane Valley, WA
$62K starting · COL 123.1
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Spokane
Petroleum Engineering
$61K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$61K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$97K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$97K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$61K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Spokane — 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 Spokane.