Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Tallahassee, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Tallahassee, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$96K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Tallahassee
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Tallahassee, FL Overview
Tallahassee, Florida (pop. 196,169) has 11 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $733/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Tallahassee is approximately $44,500, growing to $96,120 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$6,151/yr
Private Tuition
$31,072/yr
Room & Board
$9,944/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,707/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
61%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Tallahassee (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tallahassee's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Tallahassee adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Tallahassee
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Tallahassee tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,151 | Private avg: $31,072
Tallahassee avg aid: $12,707/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,350
vs HS diploma in Tallahassee
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tallahassee
$736,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($801,000) minus total education cost ($64,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Tallahassee
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tallahassee for Materials Science & Engineering
Florida State University
public
$6,517/yr
$26,068 total
Florida A&M University
public
$5,785/yr
$23,140 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tallahassee Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Tallahassee
Tallahassee offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tallahassee Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$59K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$51K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$48K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$49K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$39K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$49K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$49K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Tallahassee
Petroleum Engineering
$45K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$45K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$71K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$71K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$69K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$45K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Tallahassee — 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 Tallahassee.