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2023 Best Value Colleges for Materials Engineering

86 Ranked Colleges
3,415 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Materials Engineering Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Materials Engineering is the 154th most popular major in the country with 3,415 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, materials engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $65,007 and had an average of $23,030 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Materials Engineering Schools” ranking looked at 86 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in materials engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent materials engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the materials engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Materials Engineering Schools” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Materials Engineering Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Materials Engineering Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Materials Engineering

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Dayton. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s materials engineering degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

UDayton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UDayton is $29,928 for Materials Engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at University of Dayton

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials engineering degrees to 163 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,135 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend UF.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Materials Engineering at University of Florida

3
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 97 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our materials engineering students list, Purdue has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue is $13,377 for Materials Engineering students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Materials Engineering at Purdue University - Main Campus

4

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #4 spot on the list. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 9 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $18,350 for materials engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Materials Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials engineering degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,002 for materials engineering students per year to attend Iowa State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Materials Engineering at Iowa State University

6

With a ranking of #6, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s materials engineering students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,919 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend SD Mines.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at SD Mines

7

University of Alabama at Birmingham did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #7. Birmingham, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials engineering degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,530 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Materials Engineering at University of Alabama at Birmingham

8
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. Winona State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 20 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for materials engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at Winona State

9

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Materials Engineering Report

10

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 114 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgia Tech, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $14,974 for materials engineering students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

11

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school handed out 83 degrees to qualified ’s materials engineering students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our materials engineering students list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $18,919 for materials engineering students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at Texas A&M College Station

12
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #12, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also took the #16 spot in our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $21,301 for materials engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at Virginia Tech

13
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. University of Houston is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s materials engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,721 for materials engineering students per year to attend University of Houston.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at UH

14
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s materials engineering degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend NC State is $16,411 for Materials Engineering students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Materials Engineering at NC State

15

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 92 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $13,107 for Materials Engineering students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Materials Engineering Report

16

University of North Texas came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s materials engineering degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $14,122 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend University of North Texas.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of North Texas Materials Engineering Report

17

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #17. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s materials engineering degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,237 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend OSU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Materials Engineering Report

18

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking, coming in at #18. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 60 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $17,234 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - Madison Materials Engineering Report

19
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s materials engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $14,887 for materials engineering students.

Read full report on Materials Engineering at Texas State

20

University of California - San Diego came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 72 degrees to qualified ’s materials engineering students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $15,240 for materials engineering students per year to attend UCSD.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UCSD Materials Engineering Report

21

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 59 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,878 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UMN Twin Cities Materials Engineering Report

22
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school awarded 43 degrees to qualified ’s materials engineering students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wazzu is $15,300 for Materials Engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Washington State University Materials Engineering Report

23
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. This large school is located in San Jose, California, and it awarded 19 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,542 for Materials Engineering students per year to attend San Jose State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Materials Engineering at San Jose State University

24

Boise State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Materials Engineering Schools list. Boise State University is a large school located in Boise, Idaho that handed out 38 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Boise State is $16,153 for materials engineering students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Boise State University Materials Engineering Report

25

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 109 ’s materials engineering degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Materials Engineering Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $14,321 for Materials Engineering students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Materials Engineering at UIUC

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