Materials Engineeringat Washington State University
Graduates earn $49,560/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Materials Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $542K; scenarios range from $507K to $548K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Washington State University
The data for Washington State University's Materials Engineering program reveals a challenging path, largely influenced by its geographic context and the evolving nature of the field. Located in Pullman, a region not known for a dense materials science or manufacturing industry, the program may struggle to provide the same local internship and direct recruitment opportunities found in major industrial hubs.
While materials engineering is a vital discipline, roles often demand highly specialized skills, and the industry itself is undergoing shifts, with AI poised to impact various tasks. Many graduates from programs like this may find themselves competing for a limited pool of entry-level positions or needing to relocate to find relevant work, often in sectors like aerospace, automotive, or semiconductor manufacturing. To truly thrive, you'll need to actively seek out summer internships and co-ops from your first year, even if it means moving away from campus, to build practical experience and professional connections before graduation.
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 Washington State University'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 Washington State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Washington State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Materials Engineering at Washington State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Materials Engineering at Washington State University?
A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Materials Engineering. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $506,869 in decade earnings vs $547,977 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Materials Engineering from Washington State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.