2026 Best Value General Materials Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in general materials engineering in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $97,525. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Students looking for strong value in general materials engineering will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. 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. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,101. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $60,797. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

4

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general materials engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,123 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $9,987. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $58,177. Set against $9,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #7 among the best values for general materials engineering. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $23,733. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $108,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the general materials engineering program here. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $98,154. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

9

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete the general materials engineering program here. General Materials Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $78,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,335 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #10 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #11 among the best values for general materials engineering. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $73,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

12

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #12 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,750. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,041. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

13

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #13 spot for general materials engineering value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #14 position for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,916. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $75,080. That is a strong return on a $17,916 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #15 for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $26,823. General Materials Engineering graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

16

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #16 position for value in general materials engineering this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. 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%.

17

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #17 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.

18

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee earned the #18 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $63,505. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

19

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $19,500. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $70,371. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

20

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general materials engineering schools. 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. General Materials Engineering graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 3%.

21

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #21 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

22

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #22 among the best values for general materials engineering. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $17,553. General Materials Engineering graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

23

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong landed the #23 spot for general materials engineering value this year. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general materials engineering degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $108,956. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.

24

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #24 for value in general materials engineering this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. General Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Early-career general materials engineering graduates make about $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

25

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #25 position for value in general materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical student debt for general materials engineering graduates is $27,000. General Materials Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $66,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.