by our College Data Analytics Team
[Packaging Science](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/packaging-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for packaging science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in packaging science, balancing cost against outcomes.
San Jose State University earned the #1 spot for value among packaging science schools in the United States. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the best values for packaging science. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $31,122 in student loans. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $47,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #3 place for packaging science. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $23,756. Packaging Science graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $76,563 early in their careers. Set against $23,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Stout one of the best values for packaging science. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $71,117. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value packaging science schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $25,000. Packaging Science graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $68,904 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #6 for value in packaging science this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $56,513. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for packaging science. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $27,750. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $74,923. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Explore the best-value packaging science schools at other degree levels:
View All Packaging Science Rankings >This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.