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Materials Engineering at University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
73
Base Case
71
Pessimistic
Earnings $79,200/yr (11% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 29.0x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 33 Materials Engineering programs Top 10%

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 $770K $741K $656K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 30.2x 29.0x 25.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.5x 5.7x
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)
$25,524
Out-of-state: $114,636 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$25,404
0% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,081
9% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $79,200 per year, Materials Engineering graduates from University of Florida earn slightly above the $71,341 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 29.0x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #2 of 33 programs, University of Florida's Materials Engineering program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $86,081 are relatively flat compared to the $79,200 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of Florida

A 24% acceptance rate puts University of Florida in competitive admissions territory, serving a student body of 34,102 in Gainesville, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Florida →

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

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) University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($75,607)

Other Majors at University of Florida

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($90,651) Computer Engineering ($87,949) Chemical Engineering ($87,164) Fire Protection ($86,740) Systems Engineering ($85,698) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($85,243) Construction Engineering Technologies ($79,410) Mechanical Engineering ($76,228)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Materials Engineering at University of Florida?
This program scores 73/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Materials Engineering nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
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 $655,776 in decade earnings vs $770,093 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →