2026 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general materials engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among general materials engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $79,200. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place for general materials engineering. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $10,492. General Materials Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,123 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $76,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,915. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $71,174. That is a strong return on a $20,915 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general materials engineering this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $21,335. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $78,265. That is a strong return on a $21,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $23,733. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $77,646. Set against $23,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine earned the #8 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,987 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $58,177. Set against $9,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #10 spot for general materials engineering value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,798. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #11 among the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,041. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of California Merced placed #12 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,916. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,080. That is a strong return on a $17,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Riverside placed #14 among the best values for general materials engineering. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $19,187. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $111,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,000. General Materials Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #16 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,836. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Davis ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $18,777. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $74,110. Set against $18,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,676. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $76,662. That is a strong return on a $20,676 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of North Texas came in at #19 for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,823 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $49,157. Set against $26,823 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #20 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $74,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University came in at #21 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $63,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #22 for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $60,445. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #23 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general materials engineering. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #25 spot for general materials engineering value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $63,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general materials engineering:
Other General Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value general materials engineering schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
