[Materials Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/materials-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong materials sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for materials sciences students.
Finding the Best Value Materials Sciences School for You
The right materials sciences school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Materials Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Materials Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best value for a degree in materials sciences in the United States. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $14,238. Materials Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value materials sciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete the materials sciences program here. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $45,488. Set against $15,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the materials sciences program here. Materials Sciences graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Texas A And M University College Station is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $20,031. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University At Buffalo one of the best values for materials sciences. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Materials Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $52,403. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #6 among the best values for materials sciences. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Materials Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Carnegie Mellon University earned the #7 position for value in materials sciences this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $23,529. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value materials sciences schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Materials Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $72,216. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #9 spot for materials sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $27,491. Materials Sciences graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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).
[Materials Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/materials-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong materials sciences education at a price that pays off.
