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Materials Science Schools and Programs in The United States

33 schools in The United States teach Materials Science.

Materials Science Studies in The United States

Materials science studies how the structure of a material, from its atoms to its microstructure, determines its properties, and how processing can change that structure to make better materials. In the United States the subject is usually taught as materials science and engineering (MSE), within a school of engineering. Students work with metals, ceramics, polymers, semiconductors and biomaterials, and learn to design and test the materials used in everything from aircraft and batteries to medical implants and microchips.

Qualifications and levels

EducationUSA describes the US degree levels: a bachelor's degree takes four or five years, a master's about two years and a doctorate five to eight years. In materials science these are:

  • Bachelor of Science (BS) in materials science and engineering, with courses in calculus, chemistry, physics and the structure, processing and properties of materials, plus laboratory work
  • Combined or accelerated BS/MS programmes, offered by several departments
  • Master of Science (MS), either research-based or course-based
  • PhD, needed for most research and development careers
  • Minors in materials science for students majoring in another engineering or science field

Examples from the schools' own pages: Northwestern University in Evanston describes its Department of Materials Science and Engineering as the first academic department of its kind in the world; it offers a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science, a combined BS/MS, a minor, a Master of Science and a PhD. Penn State's Department of Materials Science and Engineering offers a BS, an MS, an accelerated MS and a PhD, and its undergraduate programme is accredited by ABET. Stanford University's department has a coterminal programme in which students can combine bachelor's and master's study, as well as master's, Engineer and doctoral degrees. Georgia Tech's School of Materials Science and Engineering also runs a BS/MS programme and certificates.

Accreditation and licensing

For engineering degrees, programme accreditation matters. ABET accreditation, as Penn State puts it, gives assurance that a programme meets the quality standards of the profession it prepares graduates for. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), no licence is required for entry-level materials engineer positions. Experienced engineers may obtain a Professional Engineering (PE) licence, which typically requires an engineering degree, a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of work experience and a passing score on the PE exam. Each state issues its own licence.

Admission and visa

Undergraduate applicants need strong preparation in mathematics, chemistry and physics; the BLS advises future materials engineers to take algebra, trigonometry, calculus, sciences and computer programming in high school. For graduate students, departments such as Penn State's list assistantships, awards, scholarships and fellowships; funding should be checked programme by programme.

Degree students at accredited universities use the F student visa. Before applying for it, students must be accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which issues the Form I-20.

Where to study materials science in the United States

Materials science departments are found at research universities across the country. Examples on this page include Northwestern University, Stanford University, the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California Los Angeles, Irvine and Davis, the University of Washington in Seattle, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, The Ohio State University, The Pennsylvania State University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University, Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Florida, the University of Minnesota, Washington University in St. Louis and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Two-year colleges such as Delaware Technical & Community College and Montgomery College offer technical routes and a first step towards a bachelor's degree.

Careers

Materials engineers work in transportation equipment manufacturing, research and development, engineering services, government and electronics manufacturing. According to the BLS, they typically need a bachelor's degree in materials science and engineering or a related field, while some research and development jobs require a master's degree or PhD. The median annual wage was $112,860 for materials engineers and $117,790 for materials scientists in May 2025. Employment of materials engineers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 1,300 openings a year.

Frequently asked questions

Is materials science a science or an engineering degree?

In the United States it is usually both: most programmes are called materials science and engineering and sit in engineering schools. Graduates can work as materials engineers or, often after a PhD, as materials scientists.

Why does ABET accreditation matter?

ABET accreditation gives assurance that a programme meets the quality standards of the profession it prepares graduates for. Penn State's undergraduate materials programme, for example, is ABET-accredited.

How much do materials engineers earn in the US?

According to the BLS, the median annual wage for materials engineers was $112,860 in May 2025.

Do I need a PhD to work in materials science?

Not for most engineering jobs, which typically require a bachelor's degree. Research and development positions often require a master's degree or PhD.