Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Warren, MI — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Warren, MI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$96K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Warren
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Warren, MI Overview
Warren, Michigan (pop. 139,387) has 6 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 88.5 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $525/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Warren is approximately $44,250, growing to $95,580 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$15,400/yr
Private Tuition
$32,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,492/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,102/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
61%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Warren (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Warren's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Warren adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Warren
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Warren tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,400 | Private avg: $32,000
Warren avg aid: $8,102/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$111,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,275
vs HS diploma in Warren
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Warren
$684,932
Lifetime earnings premium ($796,500) minus total education cost ($111,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Warren
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Warren for Materials Science & Engineering
Warren State University
public
$15,866/yr
$63,464 total
University of Warren
public
$16,099/yr
$64,396 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Warren Community College
$4,976/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Warren
Warren offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Warren Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Michigan Cities
Detroit, MI
$44K starting · COL 87
43 colleges
Grand Rapids, MI
$44K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Sterling Heights, MI
$46K starting · COL 92.8
5 colleges
Ann Arbor, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
14 colleges
Lansing, MI
$43K starting · COL 85
6 colleges
Dearborn, MI
$45K starting · COL 90.5
5 colleges
Clinton Township, MI
$48K starting · COL 96.2
4 colleges
Canton Township, MI
$47K starting · COL 93.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Warren
Petroleum Engineering
$44K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$73K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$44K 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
$44K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Warren — 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 Warren.