by our College Data Analytics Team
[Packaging Science](/majors/engineering-technologies/engineering-related-fields/packaging-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong packaging science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for packaging science students.
What’s on this page:
The right packaging science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Packaging Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Packaging Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the packaging science degrees they offer, see the list below.
San Jose State University tops our 2026 list of the best value packaging science schools in the United States. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Christian Brothers University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value packaging science schools. Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,420. Students borrow a median of $32,416 to complete the packaging science program here. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Christian Brothers University generally make around $51,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value packaging science schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $19,273. Packaging Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $61,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in packaging science will find it at University Of Wisconsin Stout, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $71,117. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the best values for packaging science. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $31,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $31,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
1
2
3
4
5
Michigan State University came in at #6 for value in packaging science this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $23,756 in student loans. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $76,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Clemson University came in at #7 for value in packaging science this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the packaging science program here. Packaging Science graduates of Clemson University earn a median of $68,904 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value packaging science schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the packaging science program here. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #9 spot for packaging science value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $56,513. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for packaging science value this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $27,750. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $74,923. That is a strong return on a $27,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #11 for value in packaging science this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,103 to complete the packaging science program here. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $38,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Packaging Science. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.