2026 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general materials engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among general materials engineering schools in California. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,101. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $18,318. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $9,987. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $58,177. That is a strong return on a $9,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $111,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
San Jose State University placed #6 among the best values for general materials engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $16,097. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $18,777. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $74,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,000. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $74,496. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology came in at #10 for value in general materials engineering this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
