[General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 119 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general materials engineering students.
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Finding the Best Value General Materials Engineering School for You
Where you study general materials engineering affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general materials engineering in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $88,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #3 place for general materials engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for general materials engineering. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,123. General 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. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $58,177. That is a strong return on a $9,987 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,733 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $93,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #8 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,335 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $78,265. That is a strong return on a $21,335 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. 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 general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $72,456. Set against $20,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
San Jose State University placed #10 among the best values for general materials engineering. 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, 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.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #11 position for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $16,097. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $98,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #12 for value in general materials engineering this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $26,475. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $47,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Utah ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #14 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $75,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Merced came in at #15 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #16 spot for general materials engineering value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,080. Set against $17,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #17 for value in general 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, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $111,998. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #18 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $74,496. That is a strong return on a $17,000 median debt. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #19 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #20 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Davis placed #21 among the best values for general materials engineering. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $74,110. That is a strong return on a $18,777 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Texas landed the #22 spot for general materials engineering value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $26,823 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $49,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #23 position for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,676 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $76,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $21,111. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $74,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Michigan Technological University landed the #25 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $63,135 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general materials engineering:
General Materials Engineering Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Materials Engineering. See all related rankings.
ADBLOCK #115
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 119 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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).
[General Materials Engineering](/majors/engineering/materials-engineering/general-materials-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
