Materials Engineeringat University of Alabama at Birmingham
Graduates earn $69,498/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Materials Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $773K; scenarios range from $680K to $806K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Alabama at Birmingham
UAB's Materials Engineering program offers a solid foundation, preparing you for diverse roles in a field critical to many industries. While initial earnings might appear slightly below national averages, consider the strong regional labor market in Alabama, particularly within the automotive, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing sectors. These industries, along with traditional materials processing, consistently seek graduates from UAB, offering stable career entry points and a reasonable cost of living that stretches your salary further. The program's research focus likely provides a strong theoretical background.
The evolving nature of engineering means artificial intelligence will increasingly impact many roles. To thrive, you'll want to focus on developing advanced analytical skills, interdisciplinary knowledge—perhaps by pursuing minors or certifications in data science or specialized manufacturing—and hands-on experience through internships. This adaptability and specialization will be key to navigating career paths and maximizing your long-term earning potential in this dynamic field.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Alabama at Birmingham's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Materials Engineering
How University of Alabama at Birmingham stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Alabama at Birmingham
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Alabama at Birmingham, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Materials Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham
How does University of Alabama at Birmingham's Materials Engineering program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. University of Alabama at Birmingham'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.