Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$148K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $68,500, growing to $147,960 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$20,550
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$1,096,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,233,000) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Materials Science & Engineering
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse 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 York Cities
New York City, NY
$83K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$94K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$73K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$61K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$71K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$76K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$73K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$70K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Syracuse
Petroleum Engineering
$69K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$112K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$69K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$110K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$110K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$107K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$69K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.