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Materials Engineering at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $58,177/yr (-18% vs median)

AI Risk High (48% exposed)

Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)

ROI 10.7x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #31 of 33 Materials Engineering programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Materials Engineering graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$620K	$607K	$555K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.9x	10.7x	9.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.4x	3.1x
Probability of Field Employment	73%	66%	49%
DegreeOutlook Score	51	50	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,948

Out-of-state: $180,056 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,360

10% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$7,500

1.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $58,177 per year, Materials Engineering graduates from University of California-Irvine earn below the $71,341 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 10.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% 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 $7,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #31 ranking among 33 Materials Engineering programs places University of California-Irvine in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

About University of California-Irvine

A 26% acceptance rate puts University of California-Irvine in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 29,494 in Irvine, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr

Materials engineers $108,310/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Materials Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of California-Irvine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Materials Engineering at University of California-Irvine?

At 50/100, the score looks reasonable — but Materials Engineering is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.

Should I worry about AI if I study Materials Engineering at University of California-Irvine?

The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of California-Irvine a good choice for Materials Engineering despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Irvine's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →