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2026 Best Materials Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
164 Materials Sciences Degrees Awarded
$66,072 Avg Early-Career Salary

Materials Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best materials sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Materials Sciences in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in materials sciences, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Materials Sciences

1

University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in materials sciences. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 54 materials sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their materials sciences degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $70,847 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree. Read more about the materials sciences program at University Of California Berkeley

2

Students looking for a strong materials sciences program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 17 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full materials sciences program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

3

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in materials sciences, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 12 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. See the full materials sciences program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

4

University Of Delaware is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in materials sciences, ranking #4. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 materials sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Materials Sciences graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree. Get the full materials sciences details for University Of Delaware

5

A rank of #5 makes Rochester Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for materials sciences. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 materials sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Materials Sciences graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $27,491 in student loans. Get the full materials sciences details for Rochester Institute Of Technology

6

University At Buffalo landed the #6 spot for materials sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. University At Buffalo awarded about 13 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the materials sciences program make about $52,403 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree. See the full materials sciences program report for University At Buffalo

7

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #7 position for materials sciences this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 materials sciences students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the materials sciences program make about $89,327 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the materials sciences program at Carnegie Mellon University

Other Materials Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best materials sciences schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Materials Sciences
Associate's Degrees in Materials Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Materials Sciences
View All Materials Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 68 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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