2026 Best Materials Engineering Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for materials engineering. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. There were roughly 86 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full materials engineering details for Northwestern University

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 113 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Materials Engineering graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $78,265 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete this degree. See the full materials engineering program report for Purdue University Main Campus

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for a strong materials engineering program will find one at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 113 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $75,080. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete this degree. See the full materials engineering program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in materials engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 101 materials engineering degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their materials engineering degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $75,041 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. More information about a degree in materials engineering from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Materials Engineering graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $76,662 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,676 in student loans. See the full materials engineering program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best materials engineering schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 67 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Materials Engineering graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $70,371 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in materials engineering from Ohio State University Main Campus

7

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University earned the #7 position for materials engineering this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Case Western Reserve University graduates 87% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at Case Western Reserve University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials engineering degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. Typical student debt for the program is $25,106. Read more about the materials engineering program at Case Western Reserve University

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best materials engineering schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 15 materials engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the materials engineering program make about $78,276 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,925 to complete this degree. Read more about the materials engineering program at Michigan State University

9

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton landed the #9 spot for materials engineering this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 materials engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the materials engineering program make about $56,077 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree. See the full materials engineering program report for University Of Dayton

10

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University earned the #10 position for materials engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 materials engineering degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their materials engineering degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $63,135 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in materials engineering from Michigan Technological University