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CIP 40.1099 Physical Sciences

Materials Sciences, Other

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

22

2025 · 5 schools

International share

59.1%

13 international students

Master's degrees

14

50.0% international

Overview

Materials Sciences, Other is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses various aspects of material science beyond the traditional categories. This specialization focuses on the development, processing, and application of materials that do not fit neatly into established classifications such as metals, ceramics, polymers, or composites.

Students in this program explore innovative materials that can be used in cutting-edge technologies, including nanomaterials, biomaterials, and smart materials. The curriculum typically includes courses in physical chemistry, thermodynamics, crystallography, and materials characterization techniques. Students may also engage in hands-on laboratory work, allowing them to synthesize and test new materials for various applications, from electronics to renewable energy solutions.

Research in this area is often collaborative, involving partnerships with other scientific disciplines such as physics, engineering, and biology. This cross-disciplinary approach is vital for addressing complex challenges, such as creating sustainable materials or improving the performance of existing ones.

Graduates of Materials Sciences, Other can pursue careers in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics, and healthcare. They may work in research and development, quality control, or product design, contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation. With the increasing demand for advanced materials in modern applications, this field offers promising career opportunities and the potential for significant contributions to society.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2011 to 2025, graduates grew 22% and the international share went from 16.7% to 59.1%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
18.2%
Asian
4.5%
Hispanic
9.1%
Black
4.5%
Other
4.5%
Intl.
59.1%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 5 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#14 Carnegie Mellon University Pennsylvania 5 5
#16 Washington University in St Louis Missouri 3 2
#31 New York University New York 8 1
#236 North Dakota State University-Main Campus North Dakota 5 4
— Coppin State University Maryland 1 1

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 149,840 — $90,630
Natural Sciences Managers 108,690 $86.66 $180,250
Materials Scientists 8,470 $60.67 $126,180

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2011–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.