2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) 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 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general materials engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general materials engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $97,525. 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 University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for general materials engineering. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in general materials engineering will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #3. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $17,123 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $48,437 early in their careers. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for general materials engineering. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $98,154. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,041. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #7 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete the general materials engineering program here. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #10 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $20,915 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $73,738. That is a strong return on a $20,915 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best values for general materials engineering. 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, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,987 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $58,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,987 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology placed #12 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $18,747. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $64,561. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $78,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $108,956. Set against $23,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $74,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #17 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $60,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in general materials engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,371 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #19 among the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $19,500. General Materials Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $63,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #21 among the best values for general materials engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Boise State University landed the #23 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #24 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $22,870. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $108,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Boston University came in at #25 for value in general materials engineering this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $25,232. General Materials Engineering graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general materials engineering this year:
Other General Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Materials Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All General Materials Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
