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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Materials Science Master’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
159 General Materials Science Degrees Awarded
$66,072 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Materials Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools to find the best for general materials science students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Materials Science in the United States

See the highest-ranked general materials science schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in General Materials Science

1

Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best school in the country for a degree in general materials science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 54 general materials science degrees in the most recent data year. General Materials Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238. More information about a degree in general materials science from University Of California Berkeley

2

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general materials science schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 17 general materials science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials science program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the general materials science program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

3

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general materials science, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 12 general materials science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general materials science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,501 in student loans. Get the full general materials science details for University Of California Santa Barbara

4

University Of Delaware is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general materials science, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 10 general materials science degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their general materials science degree from University Of Delaware earn around $54,155 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete this degree. Get the full general materials science details for University Of Delaware

5

A rank of #5 makes Rochester Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for general materials science. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 general materials science students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials science program make about $63,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete this degree. Read more about the general materials science program at Rochester Institute Of Technology

6

University At Buffalo landed the #6 spot for general materials science this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 13 general materials science students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. General Materials Science graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232. See the full general materials science program report for University At Buffalo

7

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #7 for general materials science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 general materials science students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general materials science program make about $89,327 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. More information about a degree in general materials science from Carnegie Mellon University

Other General Materials Science Degree Levels

Explore the best general materials science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in General Materials Science
Associate's Degrees in General Materials Science
Bachelor's Degrees in General Materials Science
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View All General Materials Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 60 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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