2026 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

For return on investment in materials engineering, no school beat University Of Maryland College Park this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

2

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $13,426. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

3

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for materials engineering. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

6

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University placed #6 among the best values for materials engineering. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $18,000. Materials Engineering graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

7

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

8

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #8 for value in materials engineering this year. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $66,927. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.

9

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University earned the #9 position for value in materials engineering this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $82,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.