2026 Best Value General Materials Engineering Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in general materials engineering in the Far Western Region. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for general materials engineering. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,987 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $58,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Merced earned it the #4 place for general materials engineering. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $18,318. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $42,071. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $26,475. General Materials Engineering graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $47,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,915 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

7

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $111,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #8 position for value in general materials engineering this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. 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. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis earned the #10 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $18,777. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $74,110. Set against $18,777 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

11

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #11 for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. General Materials Engineering graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $74,496 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.

12

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology placed #12 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,898 in tuition and fees. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for general materials engineering value this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.