Program Analysis
At $63,505/yr, Materials Engineering graduates from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville land near the $71,341 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 12.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Materials Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $19,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
A #29 ranking among 33 Materials Engineering programs places The University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.