2026 Best Value Materials Engineering Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in materials engineering in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $88,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

Students looking for strong value in materials engineering will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the materials engineering program here. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

3

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

A rank of #3 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for materials engineering. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $17,123 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $76,488. That is a strong return on a $17,123 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #4 place for materials engineering. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,111 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $74,058. That is a strong return on a $21,111 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

5

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #5 place for materials engineering. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

6

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee earned the #6 position for value in materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $63,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL

University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #7 position for value in materials engineering this year. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete the materials engineering program here. Early-career materials engineering graduates make about $69,498. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University landed the #8 spot for materials engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,243 to complete the materials engineering program here. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $69,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

9

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for materials engineering. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.

10

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value materials engineering schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Materials Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Materials Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $66,888 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

11

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #11 among the best values for materials engineering. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for materials engineering graduates is $22,803. Materials Engineering graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.