Home › University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign › Materials Engineering

Materials Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
67
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,080/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 13.1x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 33 Materials Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $877K $837K $728K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.1x 11.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.1x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 67

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (6.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,350
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,928
29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $75,080/yr, edging above the $71,341 national average for Materials Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 13.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Materials Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $17,350 in median debt against $75,080 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #7 among 33 Materials Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 29% earnings increase from $75,080 to $96,928 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

With a 44% acceptance rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is moderately selective, serving a student body of 34,623 in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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

Compare this program → View all 33 schools offering Materials Engineering →

Materials Engineering at Other Schools

University of Florida ($79,200) Drexel University ($78,623) Michigan State University ($78,276) Purdue University-Main Campus ($78,265) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($77,646) University of Wisconsin-Madison ($76,662) Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus ($76,488) University of Connecticut ($75,607)

Other Majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer Science ($124,530) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,503) Mathematics and Computer Science ($109,843) Computer Engineering ($103,123) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($86,483) Systems Engineering ($81,785) Nuclear Engineering ($81,134) Mechanical Engineering ($80,187)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Materials Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
At 69/100, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Materials Engineering program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Materials Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign one of the best schools for Materials Engineering?
Among 33 Materials Engineering programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →