Materials Engineering at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

NC State's Materials Engineering program delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid state flagship: $74,000 starting salary and manageable debt around $21,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates can realistically pay off loans within a few years while building their careers, which is precisely the scenario you want from an engineering degree.

Here's the interesting wrinkle: while this program sits at the national median for earnings, it's the only Materials Engineering bachelor's program in North Carolina, making direct in-state comparisons impossible. However, the admission standards are strong (1380 SAT average, 40% acceptance rate), suggesting your child would be learning alongside motivated peers—something that matters in a technical field where collaboration and networking shape career trajectories. The moderate sample size means the data is reasonably reliable, though not quite as robust as larger programs.

The math here works straightforwardly: engineering graduates typically see steady salary growth, and starting at $74,000 with just $21,000 in debt positions graduates well for financial stability. For NC families looking at materials engineering, this is your flagship option, and the numbers support it as a sound investment—especially for in-state students paying lower tuition.