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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for packaging science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in packaging science, balancing cost against outcomes.
San Jose State University earned the #1 spot for value among packaging science schools in the United States. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in packaging science will find it at Christian Brothers University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Memphis, Christian Brothers University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,420. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $32,416 in student loans. Packaging Science graduates of Christian Brothers University earn a median of $51,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christian Brothers University admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #3 place for packaging science. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $19,273. Soon after graduation, packaging science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan State University earned it the #4 place for packaging science. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for packaging science graduates is $23,756. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $76,563. That is a strong return on a $23,756 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Students looking for strong value in packaging science will find it at Rutgers University New Brunswick, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Packaging Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $58,402 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,120 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for packaging science. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $27,750 in student loans. Early-career packaging science graduates make about $74,923. Set against $27,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #7 for value in packaging science this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Packaging Science graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans. Packaging Science graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $38,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,103 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
Explore the best-value packaging science schools at other degree levels:
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.