Overview

The Materials Engineering programme at Iowa State University offers a rigorous academic foundation designed to transform how students understand and manipulate the physical world. By focusing on the relationship between atomic structure and material performance, the curriculum prepares graduates to lead innovations in design and manufacturing. Students develop a versatile scientific skillset that addresses critical global needs across various industrial sectors.

Why Materials Engineering at Iowa State University?

Choosing this programme means joining the largest college on campus, supported by over 500 dedicated faculty and staff members. The university provides access to state-of-the-art laboratory instruments, advanced fabrication facilities, and cutting-edge computational tools. Students benefit from a strong community atmosphere, with 90% of graduates securing employment or continuing their education within six months of finishing their degree.

The institution maintains exceptional links with industry, with 1,400 employers recruiting engineering students annually. Practical experience is a hallmark of the student journey, as 75% of engineering students graduate with professional work experience gained through internships or co-ops. Additionally, the programme is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, ensuring high educational standards.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 15293 per semester
National fee: USD 14289 per semester
Local fee: USD 4765 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum begins with a basic program common to all engineering majors, typically completed during the first year. Students then progress to specialised study, where they can focus on areas such as Ceramics, Metals, or Polymers. Modules may include:

Ceramics
Metals
Polymers
Glass Structure and Properties
Corrosion Control
Fiber Optics
Surgical Devices
Nondestructive Evaluation
Biomedical Engineering

Careers with Materials Engineering

Graduates from this programme are highly sought after for their ability to solve real-world problems through material innovation. The average starting annual salary for alumni is approximately $75,500, reflecting the high demand for these specialised skills. Students often transition into roles involving the development of sustainable materials, advanced electronics, and biocompatible medical devices.

Career support is integrated into the experience through one-on-one advising and extensive networking opportunities. Graduates find success in diverse industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, and energy, where they apply their knowledge of strength, durability, and conductivity to create impactful technological solutions.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

General Chemistry

Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms

Classical Physics

Calculus

Information Literacy

Engineering Orientation

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00 , International

More details

Iowa State operates on rolling admission. We strongly recommend that you apply at least six to eight weeks in advance.

Language

English

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Credits

128 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Ames, United States

Disciplines

Materials Science General Engineering & Technology View 197 other Bachelors in Materials Science in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

ACT composite (or converted SAT) score x 3

Cumulative GPA x 30

Number of years of high school core courses x 5

RAI (Regent Admission Index)

SAT scores will be converted to their ACT composite equivalents for this calculation.

High school GPA is expressed on a 4-point scale (you can use our GPA calculator to convert your GPA if it's not on a 4.0 scale).

The number of core high school courses is measured in years or fractions of years.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

30586 USD / year

≈ 30586 USD / year
Out-of-State

28578 USD / year

≈ 28578 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

9530 USD / year

≈ 9530 USD / year

Living costs

Ames

United States

1158 - 1797 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Materials Engineering.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Ames

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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