2027 Best Value Materials Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
[Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong materials engineering education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for materials engineering students.
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2027 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
For return on investment in materials engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $97,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for materials engineering. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,123. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $76,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #4 place for materials engineering. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $16,097. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,750. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $75,041. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University ranked #7 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #9 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,916. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $75,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #10 for value in materials engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,915 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $73,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine placed #11 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $58,177. That is a strong return on a $9,987 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Located in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,476 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,747 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $64,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #13 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $21,335. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $78,265. Set against $21,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Davis came in at #14 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,777 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $74,110. Set against $18,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,733 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $108,956. That is a strong return on a $23,733 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $74,058. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $60,445. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $70,371. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University placed #19 among the best values for materials engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $63,505 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for materials engineering. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $18,627. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $69,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University came in at #23 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #24 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Students borrow a median of $22,870 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $108,956. That is a strong return on a $22,870 median debt. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #25 spot for materials engineering value this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for materials engineering this year:
Other Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Materials Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Materials Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
