2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 44 schools to find the best return on investment for general materials engineering students.
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2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general materials engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
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. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $79,200. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. 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. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $98,154. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general materials engineering will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $75,041. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general materials engineering will find it at San Jose State University, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $21,620. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Stanford University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $21,335. 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 #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,915 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $71,174. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #10 spot for general materials engineering value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, 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. Set against $17,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Irvine ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $58,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #12 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. 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. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,733 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $77,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside came in at #14 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $111,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University came in at #15 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #16 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general materials engineering program here. 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. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, 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. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Utah placed #18 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, 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%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #19 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #20 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $21,111. General Materials Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $74,058 early in their careers. Set against $21,111 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $70,371. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Washington State University landed the #22 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $29,760 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $49,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #23 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,676 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $76,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #24 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $60,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #25 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,823 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general materials engineering:
Other General Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value General Materials Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All General Materials Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
