Materials Engineeringat University of California-Irvine
Graduates earn $58,177/yr in their first year — about 18.0% below the national Materials Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $607K; scenarios range from $555K to $620K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Irvine
The data for Materials Engineering at UCI presents a challenging outlook, especially considering the high cost of living in Orange County. Often, generalist materials engineering degrees, particularly at the undergraduate level, can lead to roles in quality control, process improvement, or manufacturing support rather than core R&D without further specialization or advanced degrees. While Southern California boasts significant aerospace, defense, and medical device industries, many high-paying roles in those sectors may prioritize candidates with graduate degrees or very specific skill sets.
The noted AI risk further suggests that some analytical and routine tasks within the field could become automated, potentially impacting entry-level job availability or wage growth. To navigate this, you'll need to actively seek internships in specialized areas, consider a master's degree to deepen your expertise, or focus on interdisciplinary skills like data science or advanced manufacturing to stand out in a competitive regional market.
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 UC Irvine'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 UC Irvine stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Irvine
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Irvine, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Materials Engineering at UC Irvine
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.