2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
[General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general materials engineering education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for general materials engineering students.
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Finding the Best Value General Materials Engineering School for You
The right general materials engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value General Materials Engineering 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.
Read more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
See how we build our rankings
2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general materials engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
For return on investment in general materials engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,669. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $88,363. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $17,123 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $76,488. That is a strong return on a $17,123 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $16,097. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $98,154 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Portland State University placed #6 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,041. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Stanford University earned the #8 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #9 position for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #10 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #11 among the best values for general materials engineering. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,916 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,080. That is a strong return on a $17,916 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,335 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $78,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for general materials engineering value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,915. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $72,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earned the #14 position for value in general materials engineering this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Set against $18,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,987 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $58,177. Set against $9,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #16 position for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $18,777 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $74,110. Set against $18,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Arizona State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $23,733. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $93,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside landed the #18 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $111,998 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Michigan Technological University earned the #19 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $27,000. General Materials Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $63,135 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #20 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #21 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,000. General Materials Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #22 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $44,861. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #23 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $20,798. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #24 spot for general materials engineering value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,111 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $74,058. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #25 position for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $22,574 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $49,911. That is a strong return on a $22,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general materials engineering value ranking:
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Notes and References
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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
