2026 Best Value Materials Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in materials sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Materials Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Santa Barbara the best value for a degree in materials sciences in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $15,501. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value materials sciences schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Materials Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value materials sciences schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the materials sciences program here. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Narrow Materials Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
[Materials Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/materials-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
