Finding the Best Value Polymer & Plastics Engineering School for You
The right polymer & plastics engineering school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Polymer & Plastics Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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2026 Best Value Polymer & Plastics Engineering Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the polymer & plastics engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Polymer & Plastics Engineering Schools
Leading the list is University Of Southern Mississippi, our #1 best value for polymer & plastics engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #2 place for polymer & plastics engineering. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for polymer & plastics engineering graduates is $25,347. Soon after graduation, polymer & plastics engineering degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #3 place for polymer & plastics engineering. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for polymer & plastics engineering graduates is $27,000. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $83,068 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Western Washington University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value polymer & plastics engineering schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for polymer & plastics engineering graduates is $21,656. Early-career polymer & plastics engineering graduates make about $60,375. That is a strong return on a $21,656 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in polymer & plastics engineering will find it at Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #6 for value in polymer & plastics engineering this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the polymer & plastics engineering program here. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value polymer & plastics engineering schools. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,875 in student loans. Early-career polymer & plastics engineering graduates make about $71,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh University placed #8 among the best values for polymer & plastics engineering. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, polymer & plastics engineering degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #9 for value in polymer & plastics engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Typical student debt for polymer & plastics engineering graduates is $25,106. Soon after graduation, polymer & plastics engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.