2027 Best Value Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value materials engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in materials engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $79,200. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #2 place for materials engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,123. Materials Engineering graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $76,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,123 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $16,097. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,750. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $75,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, 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 Central Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. 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 materials engineering schools. 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. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,335 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $78,265 early in their careers. Set against $21,335 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,915 in student loans. Early-career 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 earned the #10 position for value in materials engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,916. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $75,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #11 for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. 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 materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $58,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,987 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #12 position for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $74,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Arizona State University earned the #13 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $77,646. That is a strong return on a $23,733 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #14 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $111,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University earned the #15 position for value in materials engineering this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $63,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #16 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 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, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $74,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Utah ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #19 among the best values for materials engineering. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $22,574 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $49,911. Set against $22,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #20 among the best values for materials engineering. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $74,058. 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 landed the #21 spot for materials engineering value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Washington State University landed the #22 spot for materials engineering value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $29,760 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $49,560. Set against $29,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $20,676. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $76,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Texas placed #25 among the best values for materials engineering. 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. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,823 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $49,157. That is a strong return on a $26,823 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for materials engineering this year:
Other Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value materials engineering schools at other degree levels:
View All 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.
