2026 Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general materials engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 74 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Get the full general materials engineering details for Stanford University

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 52 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

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general materials engineering schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general materials engineering degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of Southern California

4

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

A rank of #4 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for general materials engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general materials engineering degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $74,496 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general materials engineering from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong general materials engineering program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 88 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $98,154 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. More information about a degree in general materials engineering from University Of California Los Angeles

6

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Read more about the general materials engineering program at California Institute Of Technology

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for general materials engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the general materials engineering program at San Jose State University

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best general materials engineering schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 107 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $72,456. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $20,915 in student loans. See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best general materials engineering schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $58,177. Students borrow a median of $9,987 to complete this degree. Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of California Irvine

10

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best general materials engineering schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $74,110 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of California Davis

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #11 for general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 21 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $111,998 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187. Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of California Riverside

12

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University earned the #12 position for general materials engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Portland. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 28 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. General Materials Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete this degree. Get the full general materials engineering details for Portland State University

13

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #13 position for general materials engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Merced. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Merced awarded about 18 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. More information about a degree in general materials engineering from University Of California Merced