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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Materials Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

20 Ranked Colleges
704 Degrees Awarded
$10,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 3,415 people earned their degree in general materials engineering, making the major the 199th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 704 general materials engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general materials engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general materials engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general materials engineering program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank General Materials Engineering Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Colleges for General Materials Engineering (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke University is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 1 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $371 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Duke General Materials Engineering Report

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k list, UF has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $65 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Florida.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at University of Florida

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school awarded 114 degrees to qualified ’s materials processing and manufacturing students in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also made our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $8,818 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

4
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $7,283 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Materials Engineering at NC State

5
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 18 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $12,476 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at University of Virginia

6
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at Virginia Tech

7

University of Central Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees to qualified students.

UCF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $4,468 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at UCF

8

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Knoxville, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $10,433 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UT Knoxville General Materials Engineering Report

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 8 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,176 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at USF Tampa

10
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 59 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson also made our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson University is $13,744 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Materials Engineering at Clemson University

11

Florida International University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FIU is $3,196 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Materials Engineering at Florida International University

12
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 29 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

UK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UK is $12,593 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UK General Materials Engineering Report

13
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 3 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

Ole Miss also made our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $7,764 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Mississippi.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at Ole Miss

14

University of Alabama at Birmingham came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

UAB also made our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for UAB is $13,443 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about General Materials Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham

15
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified ’s materials processing and manufacturing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UARK, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arkansas is $12,003 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at UARK

16
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #16, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Virginia University is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 1 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

WVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,014 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WVU.

Full WVU General Materials Engineering Report

17
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

With a ranking of #17, Auburn University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Auburn, Alabama, and it awarded 31 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

Auburn also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Auburn University is $17,866 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Materials Engineering at Auburn University

18
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. The University of Alabama is a large school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 2 ’s materials processing and manufacturing degrees in 2020-2021.

UA also made our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend The University of Alabama is $17,523 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UA General Materials Engineering Report

19
Tulane crest
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana

Tulane University of Louisiana came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in New Orleans, Louisiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s materials processing and manufacturing students in 2020-2021.

Tulane not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $12,456 for Southeast Region Materials Processing and Manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tulane.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Tulane General Materials Engineering Report

20
Tuskegee crest
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee, Alabama

Tuskegee University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Materials Processing and Manufacturing Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tuskegee is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tuskegee, Alabama. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tuskegee has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $36,841 for southeast region materials processing and manufacturing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tuskegee.

Full Tuskegee University General Materials Engineering Report

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