by our College Data Analytics Team
[Packaging Science](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/packaging-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for packaging science students.
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The packaging science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Packaging Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Packaging Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in packaging science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in packaging science, no school beat San Jose State University this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Christian Brothers University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value packaging science schools. Located in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,420. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $32,416. Packaging Science graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Set against $32,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #3 place for packaging science. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the packaging science program here. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the best values for packaging science. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $31,122 to complete the packaging science program here. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan State University one of the best values for packaging science. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $23,756. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $76,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value packaging science schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $27,000. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $71,117. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value packaging science schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Packaging Science graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $68,904 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #8 position for value in packaging science this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the packaging science program here. Packaging Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #9 spot for packaging science value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the packaging science program here. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $56,513. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in packaging science this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $74,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main landed the #11 spot for packaging science value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,103 to complete the packaging science program here. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $38,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Packaging Science. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.