2026 Best General Materials Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in general materials engineering. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general materials engineering degree from Northwestern University earn around $78,551 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general materials engineering from Northwestern University

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 113 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $78,265 in their early career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,335 in student loans. Get the full general materials engineering details for Purdue University Main Campus

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for general materials engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 113 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $75,080 in their early career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $17,916 in student loans. See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general materials engineering, ranking #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 101 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,041. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. See the full general materials engineering program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best general materials engineering schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 58 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials engineering program make about $76,662 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,676. Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general materials engineering schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 general materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. General Materials Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,371 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full general materials engineering program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

7

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University came in at #7 for general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. About 24 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general materials engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University earn around $74,459 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106. See the full general materials engineering program report for Case Western Reserve University

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 15 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. General Materials Engineering graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $78,276 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,925. More information about a degree in general materials engineering from Michigan State University

9

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton earned the #9 position for general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 general materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Dayton earn a median of $56,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree. Read more about the general materials engineering program at University Of Dayton

10

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University landed the #10 spot for general materials engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 34 general materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $63,135. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the general materials engineering program at Michigan Technological University