General Materials Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best general materials engineering schools.
Choosing a Great General Materials Engineering School
The school you choose for general materials engineering can shape your career. To help, we created our Best General Materials Engineering Schools rankings. For our Best Overall General Materials Engineering School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
General Materials Engineering Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best General Materials Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 school for general materials engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full general materials engineering program report for Johns Hopkins University
Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general materials engineering, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616.
Read more about the general materials engineering program at Northwestern University
University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 17 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $75,677 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
Get the full general materials engineering details for University Of Southern California
A rank of #4 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for general materials engineering. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 94 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
Get the full general materials engineering details for Stanford University
Students looking for a strong general materials engineering program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #5. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 123 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general materials engineering from Texas A And M University College Station
Cornell University placed #6 among the best general materials engineering schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cornell University awarded about 102 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete this degree.
See the full general materials engineering program report for Cornell University
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 112 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $78,265 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,335.
Get the full general materials engineering details for Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #8 among the best general materials engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 115 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their general materials engineering degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $75,080 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete this degree.
See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general materials engineering schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 56 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete this degree.
See the full general materials engineering program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #10 position for general materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 34 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $74,496. Typical student debt for the program is $17,000.
Get the full general materials engineering details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #11 among the best general materials engineering schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 114 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,488. Typical student debt for the program is $17,123.
Get the full general materials engineering details for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #12 for general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 37 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,373.
Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of California Los Angeles placed #13 among the best general materials engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 116 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $98,154. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #14 for general materials engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Colorado School Of Mines awarded about 23 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $76,298. Typical student debt for the program is $24,521.
Read more about the general materials engineering program at Colorado School Of Mines
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #15 spot for general materials engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 76 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $75,041 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California San Diego placed #16 among the best general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 46 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $60,797 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101.
See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of California San Diego
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best general materials engineering schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 81 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
Get the full general materials engineering details for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Florida came in at #18 for general materials engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 119 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $88,363 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of Florida
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 for general materials engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 26 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of Maryland College Park
San Jose State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best general materials engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 16 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full general materials engineering program report for San Jose State University
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #21 for general materials engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 13 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Students who receive their general materials engineering degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $57,819 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general materials engineering program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for general materials engineering this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 42 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $65,919. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete this degree.
Get the full general materials engineering details for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best general materials engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $74,058 in their early career. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans.
Read more about the general materials engineering program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Boston University came in at #24 for general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $63,598 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232.
See the full general materials engineering program report for Boston University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #25 position for general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans.
See the full general materials engineering program report for Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Rest of the Top 50 General Materials Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general materials engineering education:
General Materials Engineering Related Rankings by Major
General Materials Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 62 schools evaluated.
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).
