2026 Best Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best materials engineering schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 74 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their materials engineering degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in materials engineering from Stanford University

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for a strong materials engineering program will find one at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #2. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 52 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Students who receive their materials engineering degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $60,797 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. See the full materials engineering program report for University Of California San Diego

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for materials engineering. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 20 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the materials engineering program at University Of Southern California

4

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in materials engineering, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 59 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Materials Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. See the full materials engineering program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 88 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $98,154. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. More information about a degree in materials engineering from University Of California Los Angeles

6

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology earned the #6 position for materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. About 20 materials engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Materials Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. More information about a degree in materials engineering from California Institute Of Technology

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for materials engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 19 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Read more about the materials engineering program at San Jose State University

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for materials engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 107 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $72,456 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,915 to complete this degree. Get the full materials engineering details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 44 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the materials engineering program make about $58,177 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $9,987 in student loans. Get the full materials engineering details for University Of California Irvine

10

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #10 among the best materials engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 30 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the materials engineering program make about $74,110 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,777. Read more about the materials engineering program at University Of California Davis

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #11 among the best materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Students who receive their materials engineering degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $111,998 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. See the full materials engineering program report for University Of California Riverside

12

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #12 spot for materials engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Portland. Portland State University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 28 materials engineering degrees were awarded at Portland State University in the most recent year. Materials Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,475. Read more about the materials engineering program at Portland State University

13

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced placed #13 among the best materials engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Merced in the most recent data year. 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. See the full materials engineering program report for University Of California Merced