Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Waldorf, MD — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Waldorf, MD. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$130K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Waldorf
Cost of Living
120.7
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Waldorf, MD Overview
While Waldorf has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Materials Science & Engineering students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $15,443/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 Waldorf is approximately $60,350, growing to $130,356 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,800/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,454/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Waldorf (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Waldorf's cost of living index of 120.7 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Waldorf adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Waldorf
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Waldorf tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,800 | Private avg: $42,000
Waldorf avg aid: $12,454/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$104,972
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,105
vs HS diploma in Waldorf
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Waldorf
$981,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,086,300) minus total education cost ($104,972)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Waldorf
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Waldorf for Materials Science & Engineering
Waldorf State University
public
$10,152/yr
$40,608 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Waldorf Community College
$5,704/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Waldorf
Waldorf offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Waldorf Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Maryland Cities
Baltimore, MD
$65K starting · COL 130
22 colleges
Columbia, MD
$64K starting · COL 127.2
4 colleges
Silver Spring, MD
$61K starting · COL 122.5
4 colleges
Frederick, MD
$56K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Ellicott City, MD
$57K starting · COL 114.2
3 colleges
Glen Burnie, MD
$54K starting · COL 108.8
3 colleges
Rockville, MD
$64K starting · COL 128.5
3 colleges
Bethesda, MD
$58K starting · COL 116.7
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Waldorf
Petroleum Engineering
$60K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$99K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$60K 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
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Waldorf — 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 Waldorf.