Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Senior materials engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior materials engineer. Senior materials engineers usually study materials science and engineering, chemistry, or chemical engineering. 68% of senior materials engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 405 real senior materials engineer resumes to see exactly what senior materials engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior materials engineers are the Ohio State University and the Ohio State University.
There are also many online senior materials engineer courses to help get the education required to be a senior materials engineer.
What education do you need to become a senior materials engineer?
What degree do you need to be a senior materials engineer?
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Master's, 17%
- Doctorate, 7%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a senior materials engineer?
- Chemistry, 11%
- Chemical Engineering, 10%
- Other Majors, 53%
Most common colleges for senior materials engineers
| Senior materials engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Ohio State University | 8.86% |
| University of Massachusetts - Lowell | 6.33% |
| Georgia Institute of Technology | 6.33% |
| Pennsylvania State University | 6.33% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 6.33% |
Best majors for senior materials engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Science And Engineering | 15.9% |
| 2 | Chemistry | 11.5% |
| 3 | Chemical Engineering | 10.4% |
| 4 | Mechanical Engineering | 10.0% |
| 5 | Business | 7.8% |
Best colleges for senior materials engineers
The best colleges for senior materials engineers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A senior materials engineer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior materials engineers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior materials engineers.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. Missouri University of Science and Technology
Rolla, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$9,440
Enrollment
6,785
3. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
5. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
7. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$52,930
Enrollment
5,030
8. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
20 best online courses for senior materials engineers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to Materials Science
Periods of our civilization have names associated with materials – stone age, bronze age, iron age and the silicon age. Materials impact all aspects of your daily life and will continue to do so in the future. The more we understand materials, the more we imagine the future with fantastic devices and advancements enabled by materials. This initial specialization introduces a limited number of material science and engineering concepts. The topic presentations are at the concept level without...
2. Materials Science for Advanced Technological Applications
This specialization extends upon the initial introduction specialization, and like the other specialization, it introduces a limited number of new materials science and engineering concepts. Presentations are at the concept level without being marred in heavy mathematics. Topics in this specialization topic include strengthening of metal, polymers, ceramic materials, and composite. Some of the position titles that may benefit from this course include Materials Engineer, Chemical Engineer,...
3. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers
Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...
4. Materialize CSS From Scratch With 5 Projects
Master HTML 5 & the Materialize CSS framework by building 5 real world responsive material design based themes...
5. AI Materials
Learn about the materials that have advanced the performance of artificial intelligence, and the machine learning models that could help accelerate the design and development of novel materials. This course defines artificial intelligence (AI) as a machine to which some or all of the functions of the human brain have been delegated. It highlights the need, and explains in an easy-to-understand way how machine learning from artificial intelligence can dramatically accelerate the development of...
6. Materials Science for Technological Application
This Specialization will provide you with an introductory knowledge and understanding of key concepts in Materials Science. Periods of our civilization have names associated with materials – stone age, bronze age, iron age, and the silicon age. Materials impact all aspects of your daily life and will continue to do so in the future. The more we understand materials, the more we imagine the future with fantastic devices and advancements enabled by materials. This initial specialization...
7. Angular Material In Depth (Angular 16)
In-depth guided tour to the Angular Material component library (in Angular 16)...
8. Unreal Engine 5: One Course Solution For Material
Learn how material works in Unreal Engine 5 through a node by node, step by step approach...
9. Material Extrusion
This course is a deep dive into the most commonly used method of additive manufacturing: material extrusion. We specifically examine the fused deposition modeling process, and then look at the related composite extrusion process which can extrude a continuous fiber (such as carbon fiber) along with a thermoplastic. The necessary elements for each course are lecture videos, knowledge checks, and project completion. For additional information on certain topics, I've included supplemental readings...
10. Mechanics of Materials IV: Deflections, Buckling, Combined Loading & Failure Theories
This course explores the analysis and design of engineering structures considering factors of deflection, buckling, combined loading, & failure theories ------------------------------------------------- The copyright of all content and materials in this course are owned by either the Georgia Tech Research Corporation or Dr. Wayne Whiteman. By participating in the course or using the content or materials, whether in whole or in part, you agree that you may download and use any content and/or...
11. Angular (Full App) with Angular Material, Angularfire & NgRx
Use Angular, Angular Material, Angularfire (+ Firebase with Firestore) and Ng Rx to build a real Angular App...
12. Angular Material: Ultimate Masterclass With Angular 9 (2020)
Become A Highly Paid Angular 9 Developer And Master Angular Material & Type Script...
13. Materials in Oral Health
The drive for development of new and novel oral biomaterials has never been more important with many people using oral biomaterials today and seeing their benefits in restoring and improving their oral health for a more enjoyable lifestyle. The unique properties of biomaterials such as titanium (Ti), zirconia (ZrO2) and various polymeric materials have made them materials of choice in oral health: dental implants, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and even regenerative medicine. Oral biomaterials...
14. Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management
This course looks at where important materials in products we use every day come from and how these materials can be used more efficiently, longer, and in closed loops. This is the aim of the Circular Economy, but it doesn’t happen on its own. It is the result of choices and strategies by suppliers, designers, businesses, policymakers and all of us as consumers. In addition to providing many cases of managing materials for sustainability, the course also teaches skills and tools for analyzing...
15. Android Material UI Design Masterclass with Adobe Xd
Learn to Design Mobile Apps following the guidliness of Material System Design using Adobe Xd...
16. Unlocking the Unreal Engine Material Editor
Learn how to combine textures, color data, and math to create your own custom AAA quality shaders...
17. Material Jetting and Stereolithography
This course looks at two photopolymer resin-based processes: material jetting and stereolithography. We walk through the build preparation, printing, and post-processing for both processes, and discuss the kinds of applications for which these processes are well suited. The necessary elements for each course are lecture videos, knowledge checks, and project completion. For additional information on certain topics, I've included supplemental readings and videos throughout various lessons that...
18. Android Material Design
Introduction, Implementation and Mastering. All in one!...
19. SAP MM Materials Management (beginner to expert level)
Master SAP Materials Management module with practical implementation steps. Prepare and crack SAP MM Certification exam...
20. SAP MM (Materials Management) Consultant Level Course
Learn SAP Material Management module from scratch. Purchasing, Schema Determination, Material Master, Goods Receipt, etc...
Top 10 most affordable universities for senior materials engineers
The most affordable schools for senior materials engineers are SUNY Farmingdale, university of florida, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for senior materials engineers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior materials engineers.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
5. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
7. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
10. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior materials engineers
The hardest universities for senior materials engineers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for senior materials engineers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior materials engineers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,465
5. Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,443
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,380
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior materials engineers
The easiest schools for senior materials engineers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior materials engineer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior materials engineers.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
10. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
Average senior materials engineer salary by education level
| Senior materials engineer education level | Senior materials engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $125,765 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $107,509 |
Senior materials engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
Search for senior materials engineer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025