Materials Engineering at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
71 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
72
Optimistic
71
Base Case
69
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,174/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,000 openings/yr)
ROI 17.1x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 33 Materials Engineering programs Top 25%

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 $906K $863K $747K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.9x 17.1x 14.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.1x 4.4x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 66% 49%
DegreeOutlook Score 72 71 69

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,572
Out-of-state: $167,988 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$53,940
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,485
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$98,760
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,174 track close to the $71,341 national median for Materials Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.1x 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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,485 in median debt against $71,174 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #5 of 33 nationally, this is a top-5% Materials Engineering program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $71,174 to $98,760 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Washington-Seattle Campus

With a 43% acceptance rate, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 31,588 students in Seattle, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Washington-Seattle Campus →

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

Materials Engineering at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Materials Engineering at University of Washington-Seattle Campus?
This program scores 71/100 — 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 $747,213 in decade earnings vs $906,481 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Washington-Seattle Campus's Materials Engineering program stand out?
Ranked #5 of 33 programs nationally, University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →