2026 Best Value General Materials Science Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Leading the list is University Of California Santa Barbara, our #1 best value for general materials science in the United States. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete the general materials science program here. Early-career general materials science graduates make about $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Students looking for strong value in general materials science will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. General Materials Science graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career general materials science graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

3

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #3 place for general materials science. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. General Materials Science graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. General Materials Science graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

4

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in general materials science will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for general materials science graduates is $23,258. Early-career general materials science graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

5

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials science schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for general materials science graduates is $22,232. Early-career general materials science graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

6

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for general materials science. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. General Materials Science graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. General Materials Science graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.

7

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #7 position for value in general materials science this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. General Materials Science graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.