2026 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the materials engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among materials engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $79,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Stanford University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,123. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,488. That is a strong return on a $17,123 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for materials engineering. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,915 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $71,174. Set against $20,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $21,335. Materials Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $78,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,335 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #7 for value in materials engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $23,733. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $77,646. Set against $23,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Irvine earned the #8 position for value in materials engineering this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $9,987. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $58,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $98,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #10 position for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #11 for value in materials engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Merced came in at #12 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $18,318. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,080. Set against $17,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #14 for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $111,998. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $74,496. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #16 spot for materials engineering value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $20,836. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Davis earned the #17 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $74,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #18 spot for materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $20,676. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $76,662 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #19 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,823 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $26,823 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #20 position for value in materials engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $74,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University earned the #21 position for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $63,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #22 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $60,445. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Kentucky earned the #23 position for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $24,094. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in materials engineering this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $70,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #25 spot for materials engineering value this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $63,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for materials engineering this year:
Other Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value materials engineering schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
[Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
