by our College Data Analytics Team
[Polymer & Plastics Engineering](/majors/engineering/polymer-and-plastics-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for polymer & plastics engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in polymer & plastics engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in polymer & plastics engineering, no school beat Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in polymer & plastics engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,875 to complete the polymer & plastics engineering program here. Polymer & Plastics Engineering graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $71,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,875 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lehigh University one of the best values for polymer & plastics engineering. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete the polymer & plastics engineering program here. Early-career polymer & plastics engineering graduates make about $70,321. Set against $23,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
