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Materials Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,496/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 21.1x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 33 Materials Engineering programs Top 5%

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 $987K $936K $801K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.3x 21.1x 18.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.5x 6.5x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 73 71

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,000
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$107,726
45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $74,496 track close to the $71,341 national median for Materials Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 21.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 48% task exposure — and the 19% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $17,000 in median debt against $74,496 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #1 out of 33 programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Materials Engineering program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $74,496 to $107,726 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo admits 30% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, with 21,521 students enrolled in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

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 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Computer Engineering ($111,560) Computer Science ($111,141) Construction Management ($92,785) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($90,576) Industrial Engineering ($87,226) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($85,509) Mechanical Engineering ($83,011) Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($82,197)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Materials Engineering program score?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Materials Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Materials Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Materials Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo rank so high for Materials Engineering?
The #1 ranking out of 33 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →