Home › University of Michigan-Ann Arbor › Materials Engineering

Materials Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
69
Optimistic
68
Base Case
66
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,041/yr (5% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #12 of 33 Materials Engineering programs Top 50%

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 $863K $824K $718K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.0x 10.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.5x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 69 68 66

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$68,912
Out-of-state: $232,288 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,328
14% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,250
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$95,471
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $75,041/yr, edging above the $71,341 national average for Materials Engineering — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Materials Engineering programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Materials Engineering's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

At $16,250 in median debt against $75,041 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #12 of 33 Materials Engineering programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $75,041 to $95,471 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor admits 18% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 33,488 in Ann Arbor, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor →

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 Michigan-Ann Arbor

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,634) Computer Software and Media Applications ($98,117) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($93,674) Computer Engineering ($92,501) Information Science/Studies ($88,515) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($87,606) Industrial Engineering ($86,476) Mechanical Engineering ($82,823)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Materials Engineering at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?
A score of 68/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Materials Engineering field.
Will AI replace Materials Engineering careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $718,280 in decade earnings vs $863,321 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →