2026 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the materials engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
For return on investment in materials engineering, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $97,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for materials engineering. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $21,620. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for materials engineering. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for materials engineering value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $9,987. 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. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #7 among the best values for materials engineering. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,733 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $108,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $98,154. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in materials engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $78,265. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
San Jose State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #11 position for value in materials engineering this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,915 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $73,738 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #12 for value in materials engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, 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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Portland State University came in at #13 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,475 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $17,916. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,080. That is a strong return on a $17,916 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #15 position for value in materials engineering this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,823 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $49,157. That is a strong return on a $26,823 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #16 spot for materials engineering value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $21,111. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $74,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among the best values for materials engineering. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $13,426. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $63,505. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $70,371. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #21 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #22 position for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Arizona State University Skysong came in at #23 for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $23,742. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $108,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #24 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #25 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $27,000. Materials Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $66,888 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in materials engineering:
Other Materials Engineering Degree Levels
Explore the best-value materials engineering schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
[Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
