Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Worcester, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Materials Science & Engineering degree analysis for Worcester, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$59K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$126K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.4 yrs
in Worcester
Cost of Living
117
index (100 = avg)
Materials Science & Engineering in Worcester, MA Overview
Worcester, Massachusetts (pop. 206,518) has 11 colleges offering Materials Science & Engineering programs. The local cost of living index of 117 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,228/month. Materials Science & Engineering enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Metallurgy and Polymer Science. The adjusted starting salary in Worcester is approximately $58,500, growing to $126,360 by mid-career.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$16,670/yr
Private Tuition
$56,344/yr
Room & Board
$20,077/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,422/yr
Unemployment
5.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Materials Science & Engineering Salary in Worcester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Worcester's cost of living index of 117 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Materials Science & Engineering salary: $50,000 starting, $108,000 mid-career, $135,000 senior level.Worcester adjustment factor: 1.17x based on the local cost of living index.
Materials Science & Engineering ROI Calculator for Worcester
Estimate your return on investment for a Materials Science & Engineering degree using local Worcester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,670 | Private avg: $56,344
Worcester avg aid: $15,422/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$146,988
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,550
vs HS diploma in Worcester
ROI Payback Period
8.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Worcester
$906,012
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,053,000) minus total education cost ($146,988)
Student Loan Payoff for Materials Science & Engineering in Worcester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Worcester for Materials Science & Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
private
$56,818/yr
$227,272 total
College of the Holy Cross
private
$55,870/yr
$223,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Quinsigamond Community College
$5,760/yr
Top Employers for Materials Science & Engineering in Worcester
Worcester offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Materials Science & Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Worcester Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Materials Science & Engineering Job Titles
Materials Science & Engineering in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Boston, MA
$69K starting · COL 137
24 colleges
Springfield, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$67K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$56K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$54K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$64K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$51K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$59K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Worcester
Petroleum Engineering
$59K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$59K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$91K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$59K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering Degree in Worcester — 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 Worcester.