2026 Best Materials Engineering Schools in California

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for materials engineering. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in materials engineering from Stanford University

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Read more about the materials engineering program at University Of California San Diego

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish 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. More information about a degree in materials engineering from University Of Southern California

4

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

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 59 materials engineering degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Graduates of the materials engineering program make about $74,496 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in materials engineering from 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. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 88 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the materials engineering program make about $98,154 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. 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 placed #6 among the best materials engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 materials engineering degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Get the full materials engineering details for California Institute Of Technology

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #7 for materials engineering this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 materials engineering degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in materials engineering from San Jose State University

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #8 position for materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 44 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their materials engineering degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $58,177 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,987. More information about a degree in materials engineering from University Of California Irvine

9

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #9 position for materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,777 to complete this degree. Read more about the materials engineering program at University Of California Davis

10

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #10 spot for materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 21 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree. Get the full materials engineering details for University Of California Riverside

11

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced landed the #11 spot for materials engineering this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. About 69% of students finish within six years. 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. Get the full materials engineering details for University Of California Merced