Materials Engineeringat University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Graduates earn $60,445/yr in their first year — about 15.0% below the national Materials Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $813K; scenarios range from $709K to $850K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Minnesota
The outcomes for Materials Engineering here suggest a challenging path that warrants careful consideration. While the University of Minnesota boasts a strong engineering reputation, the local labor market for this specific discipline may not offer the same premium as other fields or regions. Many graduates find themselves in manufacturing, quality control, or process improvement roles within Minnesota's diverse industries, including medical devices and advanced manufacturing. However, these positions might not command top-tier salaries, especially in a competitive market. The field's high AI risk further indicates potential future disruption to certain tasks, necessitating adaptability. You'll want to proactively build a skillset combining technical expertise with data analysis and advanced problem-solving to secure more resilient and higher-paying opportunities.
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 Minnesota'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 Minnesota stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Minnesota
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Minnesota, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Materials Engineering at University of Minnesota
What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Materials Engineering at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
At 64/100, 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 Minnesota-Twin Cities?
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 Minnesota-Twin Cities a good choice for Materials Engineering despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.