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2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$22,135 Avg Student Debt
$89,741 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Materials Engineering Badge [General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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 Middle Atlantic Region

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

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Maryland College Park the best value for a degree in general materials engineering in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

2

A rank of #2 makes Johns Hopkins University one of the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cornell University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

4
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in general materials engineering will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

6

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

7

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #7 for value in general materials engineering this year. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $64,078. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $23,250. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $66,927. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

8
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $26,324. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $74,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.

9
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #9 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $82,063. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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