Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson
Clemson · B.S.
Materials Science and Engineering
- Degree
- B.S.
- College / unit
- College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences
- Locations
- Clemson, South Carolina
- Requirements updated
- 2026–27
About this major
Materials Science and Engineering studies how a material’s structure controls its properties and performance. Students examine metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and emerging materials through science, engineering, laboratories, and design. Clemson’s program connects material selection, processing, testing, and production across many technical applications. Laboratory work connects these relationships to design choices.
Clemson program overview (opens in a new tab)Decision snapshot
At a Glance: National Evidence
National evidence for related fields and occupations. It describes groups, not what will happen to one student.
View degree requirements (opens in a new tab)Most common positions
- Materials engineerDevelops materials and tests how they behave. Bachelor's typical. Opens an occupation profile in a new tab.
- Industrial engineerImproves how products and workplaces operate. Bachelor's typical. Opens an occupation profile in a new tab.
- Software developerBuilds and improves software systems. Bachelor's typical. Opens an occupation profile in a new tab.
National pay
$75,000
Median for full-time U.S. graduates ages 22–27 · 2024
New York Fed category: Miscellaneous Engineering
Generalized outcomes
- Unemployment
- 3.7%
- Underemployment
- 26.4%
- With a graduate degree
- 46.3%
Related Clemson majors
Clemson decision guide
Before You Choose
What studying it feels like
You’ll connect a material’s internal structure to how it behaves in the real world. Lab testing and microscopy make those relationships visible, while design work asks you to choose the right material for a job.
One thing to know
The major can lead toward research or manufacturing. Some science-heavy roles commonly value advanced study beyond the bachelor’s degree as well.
Ask yourself
- 1Do you enjoy explaining performance from evidence at a microscopic scale?
- 2Would you rather work in research or closer to manufacturing?
Longer-term context
$105,000
National median for U.S. graduates ages 35–45 · 2024
Miscellaneous Engineering. Group evidence, not a prediction for one student.
Pay source (opens in a new tab)Career preparation
All three positions commonly begin with a bachelor’s degree. Research-heavy materials work may favor graduate study later.
Clemson guide sources
Sources & How to Read This Guide
- Clemson undergraduate program inventory and degree requirements Opens in a new tab.
- Labor market outcomes by college major Opens in a new tab.
- ACS PUMS field-of-degree and occupation files, 2018–2024 Opens in a new tab.
- CIP-to-occupation crosswalk and occupation profiles Opens in a new tab.
Most common positions use Census weights in pooled 2018–2024 ACS PUMS data, excluding 2020. The sample covers employed degree holders ages 22–35 who weren’t enrolled. This guide uses Materials Engineering + Materials Science (FOD 2413 + 5008; unweighted n=1,087; blended field proxy). These are national patterns, not Clemson outcomes.
Materials Engineering (CIP 14.1801) is compared with the New York Fed category Miscellaneous Engineering. National evidence describes groups and is not a prediction for one student. Future of STEM is independent and is not endorsed by Clemson University.